JOHOR BARU: Police are looking into a reported kidnapping case where several individuals allegedly seized a local man in a vehicle.
State police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the incident was reported on Sunday (Oct 13) at 7.20pm, shortly after the victim's release.
"Investigations are underway, and we caution the public against making assumptions or sharing unsubstantiated details about the case," he said on Saturday (Oct 19).
According to a report by China Press, the kidnapping led to the family of a businessman paying a RM20mil ransom for his safe return.
The 59-year-old developer was preparing for a business trip when he was ambushed at around 5am outside his home, right before his scheduled departure to Senai Airport.
Three masked men confronted him, with one hitting him with a stick, another covering his head, and a third man holding him at gunpoint and restraining his hands before forcing him into a car.
A mobile phone was left outside the victim's house by the kidnappers, which was later used to demand a RM30mil ransom from his family. Following negotiations, the ransom was reduced to RM20mil.
The family managed to gather RM5mil, which they deposited at a residential area in Taman Perling, while the remaining amount was wired through an acquaintance in Singapore.
Fourteen hours after the initial kidnapping, the developer was released. The victim reported to the police that he was held by four kidnappers, including a woman and added that their nationalities were unknown.
