A secretary of the Myanmar Video Organization (MVO) under the Gita Association has been extorting money from shops selling VCD movies and songs in former capital Rangoon , shop owners alleged.

The secretary of the Rangoon Division Myanmar Video (MVO) U Nay Win has been extorting money from shops in Mayangon, Mingaladon, South Okkalapa and Insein townships for a couple of months.

He has been fleecing the shops after finding out details of the owners' investments. The extortion money ranges between Kyat 30,000 up to 50,000 and has become akin to a monthly tax from shop owners. Frightened shop owners having been paying up.

"He told us if we do not pay up he will force the shop to close," a shop owner told IMNA.

A couple of days ago he threatened a VCD shop owner near Aung Mingala bus station with arrest.

U Nay Win is from Thu Da Mar Road, North Okkalapa Township and he is a former video shop owner.

A source close to him said he is an extravagant spender and regularly went to the KTV (Karaoke Bar) in North Okkalapa .

The VCD shop owner said they run shops legally and they had no idea why U Nay Win was extorting money from them.