Police officers in Costa Rica have been arrested for shaking down Canadians in an extortion scheme targeting unwary tourists. To prevent arrest and detention, the officers told them, they could pay a fine of $600 to them on the spot, according to the OIJ. “The officers told them that it was a crime in our country but it is false. We recommend that for the tourists’ security, but it’s not necessary,” said Marisel Rodrígues Solís, a spokeswoman for the OIJ. Afterwards, feeling aggrieved, the tourists told a local tour guide what had happened and were informed that it was a scam.

Source: National Post December 05, 2018 19:41 UTC