Episode details

Available for over a year
Chinese people around the world are being targeted by a nightmarish scam in which conmen posing as police, trick them into believing they are wanted for a crime back in China. Victims are threatened with extradition to China unless they hand over “bail” money. In the first of a two-part investigation into Chinese police impersonation scams, Elaine Chong speaks to Helen, a British Chinese woman who handed over her life savings. The gang convinced Helen they were genuine police by faking documents and creating the impression they were calling her from a police station. Chinese embassies have issued international warnings about these scams, which are thought to be operated from outside China. But some human rights activists claim that China’s alleged efforts to monitor and harass dissidents overseas has created a climate of fear in the Chinese diaspora which criminals are now exploiting. Presenter: Elaine Chong Producer: Ed Main Editor: Flora Carmichael Sound engineer: Gareth Jones
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