Singaporean held for RM3.2mil ransom after falling for job offer, say cops

A 72-year-old Singaporean retiree fell victim to a high-stakes kidnapping scheme after being enticed by a lucrative job offer, according to police. The syndicate behind the abduction, which is also suspected of two other recent kidnappings in Kuala Lumpur, demanded a ransom of RM3.2 million from the victim's family. The victim was lured to Penang under the guise of a consulting job and was subsequently kidnapped upon arrival.

The family lost contact with him after his arrival on July 26 and only learned of the kidnapping via a voice message on August 4, accompanied by footage of the victim handcuffed and blindfolded. Police conducted a raid last Friday at a house in Alor Setar, Kedah, resulting in the rescue of the victim and a woman held captive. Two suspected foreigners were killed during the operation, while six others, comprising five Chinese nationals and a Malaysian man, were apprehended.

The victim's family made three payments amounting to approximately RM48,000, while the woman's family was asked to contribute RM64,000. Police have seized firearms and other weapons during the investigation and have identified the syndicate as operating through social media platforms like WeChat, offering job opportunities or social escort services.

The six suspects have been remanded for further investigation, and law enforcement advises the public to exercise caution against deceptive job offers from individuals they only know through social media.