Four Chinese were mugged in similar fashion in the northwest area of Richland County in South Carolina, US, from April 28 to May 5, the Beijing-based Global Times reported Wednesday.

All the victims work in Chinese restaurants and were targeted by armed gangs while leaving for home at night.

Local WLTX Television quoted some witnesses as saying that the men sped away in a small black car after snatching the money from the victims.

Richland police are looking for the car, and seeking the public's help to get more information on the suspects.

It's not unusual for Chinese to be robbed, raped or even murdered in some crime-ridden areas of the US, Chinese People's Public Security University professor Wang Dawei said, attributing their vulnerability to their traditional virtue of tolerance.

Wang said Chinese people don't usually consult law enforcement agencies after being targeted by criminals. Also, they are used to carrying large sums of money with them. These two factors make them the ideal target for criminals.

(China Daily May 10, 2007)