GEORGE TOWN: A mother has lodged a police report after receiving threats that her son had been kidnapped for ransom in Thailand after going there for work.
Penang police confirmed receiving the report from the mother that her son had gone to Thailand for work last month before receiving the threats claiming her son had been kidnapped.
Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said they are now verifying the claims and searching for the Sungai Dua woman’s son.
"The woman claimed that her son had gone to a neighbouring country at his own free will and was not coerced by anyone. However, his mother later received threats claiming that he had been kidnapped.
"The victim then filed a police report on Thursday (Oct 9), following which we are conducting further investigations to gather more extensive information about the man's travel abroad," Azizee told Bernama on Friday.
Media previously reported the mother’s ongoing ordeal after finding out that her son might have been kidnapped by a job scam syndicate in Thailand, with a threat to cut off his hand if ransom was not paid.
The victim, Lai, 25, worked as a shop renovation contractor for new store openings before disappearing and falling under the syndicate's control since mid-September.
His mother, wishing to be known as Rose, 52, reportedly said she began communicating with the group on Sept 16, after receiving a message demanding ransom for her son's release, accompanied by threats to sever his hand if she refused to pay. - Bernama
