{
  "id": 656344,
  "title": "Singapore fugitive flees to Johor, ends up kidnapped for S$80,000 ransom",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/singapore-fugitive-flees-to-johor-ends-up-kidnapped-for-s-80-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-12T11:17:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/12/singapore-fugitive-flees-to-johor-ends-up-kidnapped-for-s80000-ransom/231117"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 12, a 32-year-old fugitive from Singapore sought refuge in Johor but found himself kidnapped and assaulted, with his family facing a S$80,000 ransom demand. Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar stated the victim, wanted by Singapore police, had entered the country illegally in May. Accompanied by his 28-year-old girlfriend, who also entered Johor illegally, the victim was met by one of six suspects. Shortly after, both were kidnapped and the victim's cash, totaling S$12,000 and RM41,400, was taken. Demanding a ransom from the victim's mother in Singapore, the suspects ultimately settled for S$25,000, with S$5,000 paid in advance. Police rescued the victims and arrested a 40-year-old suspect during the ransom exchange in Nusa Bestari, Iskandar Puteri. Five of the six suspects had criminal and drug offense histories, and four tested positive for methamphetamine abuse. The remaining suspects remain at large. The investigation is under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, and the victims were arrested for illegally entering Malaysia.",
  "summary": "JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 12 — A 32-year-old Singaporean wanted man, who fled to Johor for refuge, was instead kidnapped an...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "RTS Link redraws Johor property map as Singapore demand spills across Causeway",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/rts-link-redraws-johor-property-map-as-singapore-demand-spills-across",
        "published": "2026-08-12T06:55:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Singapore fugitive flees to Johor, ends up kidnapped for S$80,000 ransom",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/singapore-fugitive-flees-to-johor-ends-up-kidnapped-for-s-80-000-656875",
        "published": "2026-08-12T11:17:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}