More than 30 people were extorted by operators of an illegal long-distance bus that offered "cheaper" service, reports Information Times.

The victims said they were accosted by a man at Guangzhou Eastern Railway Station on Sunday who claimed he could arrange transportion for them to Dongguan for just 25 yuan (US$3) each - almost half the standard fare.

After paying the man, they joined another 11 people already seated on the bus.

But after the bus departed, the passengers were ordered to pay another 25 yuan per head because "they should not have given the fare to the man at the railway station". Protests were met with threats of a beating from the 11 other "special passengers".

Then a woman produced some "foreign currencies" and told the passengers to change them into renminbi. Two affluent-looking passengers were also forced at knife-point to give the woman 200 yuan (US$24) each.

The passengers called police after the other 11 people got off at Dongguan.

Police are urging people not to use bus services offered outside official bus stations, as they are often traps set by illegal operators.

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