New twist to Asian extortion racket

Restaurateur Charles Chan was asked to pay $2000. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Asian business owners have received calls demanding money to protect them from an extortionist who is being hunted by police.

Charles Chan, owner of Sri Intan Malaysian Restaurant in Mt Albert, is one of at least two business owners who made police reports yesterday on the new twist to the extortion bid.

Earlier, police said they were investigating a number of phone calls made since Tuesday morning to Chinese businesses, including takeaways, restaurants and traditional medicine centres demanding money.

"The man asked for $2000 as protection money, saying he will protect me and help send the extortionist gang back to China," said Mr Chan.

"He said it was safer for me to deal with him instead of his brothers, who will come after me with guns and knives."

The operator of an acupuncture centre told the Herald the caller wanted $5000 to "fight the gang" and "got very angry when I told him I didn't have that kind of money".

"I am worried because I don't know who he is, and because he got my number from the phone directory - obviously he knows where I live."

Tim Chao, head of the Asian crime unit, said the caller, who claimed to belong to an Asian gang, had been asking for sums ranging from a few thousand to $20,000.

"The calls are either malicious, or it's a scam to try and swindle money out of innocent Asian business people, basically."

He said no one had lost any money in the extortion attempts, and said the public should not present themselves as vulnerable or intimidated to the caller.

"They shouldn't disclose anything, such as personal details or financial accounts, but report the matter to the local police."

Police were continuing to take statements from business operators who had received the calls, and were working with the local Chinese media to advise people what to do, including noting details of the phone call, what was said and if any threats were made.

"If people have genuine concerns about their safety," said Mr Chao, "then obviously call the police immediately on our emergency line."