NSW: Police investigating threatening calls to Asian businesses

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2010
NSW: Police investigating threatening calls to Asian businesses

SYDNEY, April 8 AAP - A series of Asian businesses in Sydney have received threatening
phone calls demanding cash, in what police believe is an overseas scam.

Burwood police are investigating several reports of Asian businesses receiving phone
calls demanding cash and threatening violence.

Detective Sergeant Aaron Power said police are treating the matter seriously and urge
members of the Asian business community to report any incident.

"We have not received any reports of persons actually being harmed and, at this stage,
there is nothing to suggest any threats have been followed through, Sgt Power said in
a statement.

"But that doesn't mean people shouldn't take any threat they receive seriously and
report them to police immediately.

"It appears these calls are random and opportunistic and are part of a telephone scam
possibly originating from overseas."

Anyone who receives a threatening call is advised to hang up immediately, not to reveal
any personal details or make any payments.

AAP sg/goc/

KEYWORD: CALLS

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