VICTORIA – Police in Victoria are warning the public, especially members of the Chinese community, about an elaborate extortion scheme known as virtual kidnapping.

The department says in a statement released Tuesday that reports of these types of fraud are increasing and they want the public to be aware.

The statement says people from mainland China, usually here on student visas, are targeted with a phone call from someone speaking Mandarin or Cantonese.

The person claims there’s either a warrant for their arrest in China or that Chinese police need their help with an investigation.

As part of the scheme, the people are convinced to make a fake video saying they’ve been kidnapped and their family members back home are extorted for money.

Victoria detectives say they’ve investigated several such cases where money is demanded from families, and in at least one case the criminals managed to get a substantial amount of cash.

“Speak with students and visitors in your community from mainland China about these extortions and encourage them to contact police if they feel unsafe or are contacted by people claiming to be the Chinese authorities who are asking them to pretend to be the victim of a crime,” the police advisory says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2019.