Exploiting the fear of terrorism

by Feòrag

A man has been arrested in Osaka after he allegedly tried to extort money from a camera shop by pretending to be a member of a militant Islamic group.

Hokazono visited Big Camera's Nanba outlet in Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Thursday evening, and handed a letter to a female employee demanding 60 million yen in cash, police said.

I'm a member of an Islamic radical organization. I've set a bomb to go off in your shop. Hand over 60 million yen and I'll tell you where it is, the letter read.

He later made several threatening phone calls to the shop. Police traced a call he made Friday evening, and arrested him.

A small incendiary device was found. 'Islamic radical' plants fire bomb in Osaka camera shop - Mainichi Daily News, 11th January 2003.