JOHOR BARU: Police recover more than RM7mil of the RM20mil ransom that was paid to a group of kidnappers of a Johor businessman.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the money, in various currencies, was recovered following the arrest of 14 suspects involved in the Oct 13 incident.
“The amount recovered from the incident amounted to about RM1.95mil and S$1mil (RM3.3mil), as well as 400,000 Tether in cryptocurrency (estimated at RM1.75mil).
“The suspects, arrested from last Tuesday (Oct 22) until Wednesday (Oct 29), played different roles from planning, carrying out the kidnap and disposal of items used in the incident.
“There was also a group among the suspects involved in managing the cryptocurrencies,” he told a press conference at the Johor police headquarters here on Wednesday (Oct 30).
He added that 11 of the arrested suspects were locals, including one woman who is the victim’s family member.
The remaining suspects were Vietnamese, including a woman.
All the suspects are aged 23 to 58 and are currently under police remand until Nov 5.
Besides money, police also recovered a pistol, 250 live rounds and a pair of handcuffs, he said.
Asked about the motive of the kidnap, whether it was linked to business interests or a love affair, Comm Shuhaily said investigations were still ongoing under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for abduction, wrongful restraint or wrongful confinement for ransom.
“We are also tracking down other suspects who are still at large,” he said, adding that some suspects who were arrested also possessed prior criminal records.
He said that the victim was kidnapped at around 5am on Oct 13 and was later released at 12pm. He lodged a police report at around 7pm on the same day.
According to a China Press report, the 59-year-old developer was scheduled to go on a business trip when the incident occurred.
The kidnappers demanded a RM30mil ransom, and after negotiating, it was reduced to RM20mil.
