Recently, a kidnapping and extortion case targeting Chinese gamblers was exposed in Manila, Philippines. The suspect, Li, a Chinese national who calls himself "Ma Zai," is active in several Manila casinos. Pretending to be a "betting intermediary," he approaches compatriots, lures them into "cooperating in betting," and then takes them to secluded locations for illegal detention, demanding a high ransom from their families.
According to victims who have reported to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Li deceives gamblers by claiming he can take them "into the venue for betting." Once the gamblers are hooked, they are confined and threatened for extortion. The embassy has confirmed that a case has been filed and is calling for informants to provide clues to help the police locate the suspect.
Although the incident has been exposed, Li and his suspected gang are still frequently seen in casinos, possibly continuing to look for new victims. The situation poses a significant risk to public safety.
The Chinese Embassy has issued a safety alert, urging citizens in the Philippines to be wary of so-called "betting intermediaries" and to enhance their awareness of prevention. In case of suspicious situations, they should immediately report to the police or seek help from the embassy to avoid endangering personal safety.
