KUALA LUMPUR: A woman who was allegedly kidnapped for a RM18,000 ransom has been rescued but the victim's account of the incident is questionable, say police.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said a police report was lodged by a 43-year-old woman in Sarawak on Friday (June 19), who claimed that her daughter had been abducted by unknown individuals who demanded RM18,000 for her release.
"Following the report, a special task force comprising officers from Bukit Aman CID, Johor CID and Sarawak CID was formed to locate and rescue the victim.
"The operation was carried out and we successfully rescued the woman in her 20s following a raid on a house in Taman Perniagaan Setia, Johor Baru, on Saturday (June 20)," he said in a statement.
Comm Kumar said a 27-year-old local man was arrested at the same location.
"Checks revealed that the suspect has a previous record for drug-related offences and other crimes.
"Four mobile phones were also seized for further investigation," he added.
Comm Kumar said the case is being investigated under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for kidnapping for ransom.
"However, investigations have raised doubts over the victim's account of the kidnapping.
"We found the victim's narrative of the kidnapping to be questionable, resulting in her arrest," he said.
Both the suspect and the "victim" will be remanded for further investigation, he said.
"The actual motive behind the incident has yet to be established and remains under investigation.
"We urge the public not to speculate, make comments that could interfere with the investigation or manipulate facts in a manner that may cause unnecessary public concern," he said.
