Chinese tourist in extortion bid in Qld

A Chinese tourist in Queensland has been targeted by scammers posing as Chinese government officials who demanded money and tried to convince his family he had been kidnapped.

During a visit to Cairns last month scammers told the man he was implicated in crimes before demanding money, while his family in China were simultaneously ordered to pay a ransom.

Police said it was the first scam of its nature in Queensland, and urged members of the Chinese community to be vigilant.