The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Action Unit in the Philippines arrested a former army captain, his cousin, and a former army reservist, all three suspected of impersonating officials and extorting 30 million pesos (approximately 4.03 million RMB) from a Chinese businessman.
According to Philippine ABS-CBN website and World Journal among other media sources, the NBI conducted a sting operation in Taguig City, capturing former army captain Mark Mediamar and his cousin Rustico Samarinta as they went to collect the cash inside a briefcase at the agreed location.
The NBI stated that Mark threatened the Chinese businessman, saying that if he did not produce 50 million pesos (later reduced to 30 million pesos), his business in China “would be thoroughly investigated.” An NBI official explained, “The suspects claimed that the Chinese businessman was involved in illegal activities, although the businessman knew his operations were legal, he was still frightened by the threats.”
The NBI pointed out that Mark’s friend, former army reservist Ramos, was the mastermind behind this extortion scheme. Ramos, who had been employed as the driver for the Chinese businessman for five years, planned the extortion against his former employer. After his arrest, Ramos expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I lost my mind.” The three suspects are detained on charges of extortion.
Recently, another Chinese businessman was victimized in a scam in Russia, losing up to 140 million rubles (approximately 15.12 million RMB). Russian media reported that the victim was a Chinese citizen working in the "Sadovod" market in Moscow.
This businessman was carrying over 100 million rubles in cash to the bank when he fell into the scam.
Seven members of the Russian Federal Security Service rushed to the scene after being alerted by bank staff, and robbed the Chinese man under the pretext that “this money is dirty,” subsequently sharing the loot. A representative from the military court in Moscow stated that the court had ordered the detention of five FSB members suspected of armed robbery, with two others placed under house arrest.
