Appeal for blackmail victims to come forward

Police today (March 9) urged members of the public who have been blackmailed but have not made reports to the Police to come forward.

The appeal was made after Police received two reports in Yau Tsim area with similar modus operandi.

On November 15, 2005, a 66-year-old man was splashed with black paint by an unknown man at the lift lobby of a building on Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei. He later received a phone call from a man who claimed to be a "police officer" investigating the case.

On the following day, the victim received a call from a third man who threatened him to give $2 million otherwise he or his family would be injured. After negotiation, the victim agreed to give $300,000 to the man.

He then put the money in a rubbish bin on Mong Kok Road as requested on the same day after consulting the "police officer". It was later confirmed that the money was collected.

Feeling suspicious, the victim made a report to the Police on November 24 and the case was taken over by District Anti-triad Section (DATS) of Yau Tsim District.

In February this year, Police received another report with similar modus operandi. A guest house on Kimberley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui was splashed with red paint on the door by an unknown man on February 20.

On the following day, the proprietor of the guest house, a 73-year-old woman, received a call from a man impersonating as a police officer who had taken up the case. Feeling suspicious on his identity, she made a report to the Police subsequently.

Investigations by DATS of Yau Tsim District are proceeding.

Police appeal to the public to beware of similar modus operandi and urge anyone who has fallen prey to such crime to contact the investigating officers at 2731 7240 or 2731 7319.


Police Report No. 6

Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, March 9, 2006