KUALA LUMPUR: A recent kidnapping case involving a South Korean man has taken a dramatic turn after police discovered that the victim is a wanted individual in his home country.
The 40-year-old man, who was rescued by police, had allegedly been held captive, bound, assaulted and threatened with an object resembling a firearm after being abducted on April 17.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the victim was kidnapped while travelling alone from Kuala Lumpur to Genting Highlands.
“During the incident, the victim was followed by a vehicle before being intercepted by the suspects.
“He was forcibly pulled out of his car, assaulted, tied up and placed into the suspects’ vehicle before being taken to an undisclosed location,” he told a press conference on Friday (April 24).
Two reports were lodged regarding the incident – one from the victim’s friend and another from a woman claiming to be his wife.
"Initial investigations were carried out by Pahang police before Bukit Aman CID took over the investigations.
"A special task force was subsequently formed.
“Based on intelligence gathered, the team managed to locate the victim and conducted a raid at a house in Melaka.
“The victim was rescued, while three South Korean men aged between 28 and 40 were arrested,” Comm Kumar said.
He added that throughout his captivity, the victim was tied up, beaten and threatened.
The suspects also contacted the victim’s associate and demanded a ransom of US$10mil (RM39.6mil) via a cryptocurrency account.
"However, some US$3mil (RM11.9mil) was transferred into the account before the funds were moved across several other accounts in an attempt to evade detection.
“With the cooperation of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s crypto unit, we managed to trace and freeze US$2.46mil (RM9.7mil) across three accounts.
“The freeze order is effective for nine months to facilitate further investigations,” he said.
Several items, including a fake pistol, ropes and adhesive tape used to cover the victim’s mouth, as well as the victim’s vehicle, which was found to be registered under an inactive company, were also seized.
"All three suspects have been remanded until April 28 to assist in investigations.
"Checks revealed that two suspects had entered Malaysia in March using valid social visit passes until June, while the third had no record of entry," he said.
In a further development, Comm Kumar said joint investigations with the South Korean Embassy revealed that the victim is a wanted individual in his home country.
“His passport has been revoked and an Interpol Red Notice has been issued against him for suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities and organised crime.
“He is believed to have been in Malaysia since 2016 and had been moving between several locations during that period,” he added.
He said that the victim did not know the suspects and that the primary motive of the kidnapping appears to be ransom.
"The case is being investigated under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961.
“Although the case involves foreign nationals, we will not compromise in taking enforcement action,” he stressed.
Comm Kumar said investigations will be completed before any decision is made, including the possibility of deporting the victim to his home country.
