Police in Shanghai Minhang District have detained five members of a gang suspected of targeting illegal taxi drivers.

In the evening of December 22, police alleged the gang ordered an illegal driver named Wang to drive his car to a desolate area of Songjiang District, and then robbed him of a mobile phone and 1,400 yuan (US$192) cash.

Wang was also forced to sign a letter saying he owed 8,000 yuan to the gang. Police said the gang approached Wang for payment the next day. Wang reported the incident to police and five men were caught near the scene on December 23.

(China Daily January 3, 2008)