Police say an extortionist threatening Chinese businesses in Auckland with gang violence has begun a second series of phone calls, this time pretending to be a vigilante.
Asian liaison officer Justin Zeng says a Mandarin-speaking man has called about 50 small Chinese businesses since Wednesday, claiming to be part of an Asian gang and demanding tens of thousands of dollars.
He says no one has yet given him any money and the scammer is now changing his tactics.
Mr Zeng says the caller is now offering his services as a helpful vigilante who can take care of the businesses' gang problem for a payment of several thousand dollars.
