Dubious fundraising schemes probed

JISHOU, Hunan: Local authorities have begun to investigate fundraising schemes that led investors to block roads and railways here last week.

The government of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture announced on Sunday that investigators had been sent to companies suspected of illegal fundraising and that a probe of their assets had begun.

Officials ordered all underground fundraising activities to stop and suspected firms to suspend paying interest until the probe is complete.