S'porean man, 72, rescued after getting kidnapped in M'sia

A 72-year-old Singaporean man was kidnapped in Malaysia and later rescued by authorities. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the rescue, stating that their collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) was instrumental. The man had traveled to Malaysia on July 26, 2026, and his family became concerned for his safety after receiving information on August 4, 2026, suggesting he may have been kidnapped and that a ransom was demanded.

The SPF promptly sought assistance from the Malaysian police, sharing relevant information to aid their investigation. Malaysian police operations ultimately led to the successful rescue of the man on August 7, 2026, in Kedah, Malaysia. The man is now safe and has received necessary medical attention. Preliminary investigations by Malaysian police revealed that the suspects had used social media and online platforms like Telegram, WeChat, and Badoo to establish connections with potential victims.

They would then invite them to meet in person under various pretexts such as holidays, job opportunities, or socializing. The SPF issued a warning to the public, advising them to exercise caution when interacting with online acquaintances, especially if they do not know the person well and are invited to meet in person or travel overseas.