Threatening phone calls – in Mandarin
p2pnet news view | Freedom:- Online marketing calls have taken on an ominous new meaning for some Chinese-American business owners and professionals.
An anonymous Mandarin-speaking caller seeking money often threatens them and their families, says the Associated Press.
The calls, “apparently originating in China from someone with a Taiwanese or Fujianese accent,” targeted people in Toronto as well as at least seven US seven states from “California to Massachusetts”.
“They were saying, ‘We know where you live, we know your family members,’” the story has Steven Zhu, liaison officer of Chinatown Town Watch in Philadelphia, saying, going on
“At least 20 people in the city or its suburbs have been targeted during the past two weeks by someone seeking $10,000 to $30,000, and a Montgomery County resident ended up wiring a large amount, police said.
“Several calls have not involved threats but have been appeals based on ethnic origin to get cash, for example, to help someone get out of jail, Lt. Dennis Cullen of the police Criminal Intelligence Unit said.”
FBI officials on Friday acknowledged “a nationwide attempt to extort business owners … through phone calls threatening violence,” adds AP.
Associated Press – Phone-threat scam targeting Chinese in US, May 8, 2009
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May 21st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
This goes back a year.
First time I read of it was in one of the Canadian papers and a Toronto business guy was being harassed by them.
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 am
âWe know where you rive, we know your famiry members,â
Fixed.