Police have successfully recovered RM7.2 million from the RM20 million ransom allegedly paid in the recent high-profile kidnapping of a Johor businessman. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, shared that the recovered assets included a mix of cash, foreign currency, and cryptocurrency.
According to Mohd Shuhaily, the seized amount comprised RM1.95 million in cash and S$1 million (equivalent to approximately RM3.3 million) in foreign currency. Additionally, authorities retrieved 400,000 Tether in cryptocurrency, valued at roughly RM1.75 million. “In connection with the seizure, police also confiscated a Beretta pistol, 250 live rounds, and a pair of handcuffs from the suspects,” Mohd Shuhaily reported during a press briefing held at the Johor police contingent headquarters.
Present at the briefing were Johor Police Chief Datuk M. Kumar and other senior police officials. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were organized into distinct groups, each with specific roles in the kidnapping. Mohd Shuhaily explained, “One group was responsible for planning and executing the kidnapping, while a second group handled the disposal of items, and a third group managed the ransom transactions.” Despite providing these details, he refrained from commenting on any alleged familial connection between a suspect and the victim, citing the early stage of the investigation.
The case involves 11 suspects, including a woman, all of whom are Malaysians, along with two Vietnamese men and one Vietnamese woman. The suspects, aged between 23 and 58, are currently in custody under remand until November 5. Police expressed confidence that they would soon resolve the case. Mohd Shuhaily further noted that several of the detained suspects have prior criminal records, suggesting an established involvement in criminal activities. He added that authorities are actively pursuing one suspect who remains at large.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, which addresses abduction, wrongful restraint, or wrongful confinement for ransom. In a related development, the remand period for the three Vietnamese suspects was extended by an additional seven days, starting today, after approval from the High Court’s Senior Assistant Registrar, Chai Ing Hien. The extension will keep them in custody until November 6. The Vietnamese suspects two men and one woman, all in their 30s face similar investigations under the same section of the Kidnapping Act.
On the previous day, the court also extended the remand for 10 local suspects, including two women, for an additional seven days. Additionally, a local man in his 30s was apprehended and remanded following his arrest in Senai, near Johor Baru. Johor Police Chief Datuk M. Kumar confirmed that police had apprehended a total of 10 men and three women believed to be linked to the kidnapping of the businessman in Iskandar Puteri on October 13.
The incident drew public attention as reports indicated the businessman’s release following a ransom payment of RM20 million, after initial demands of RM30 million were reportedly negotiated down. The 59-year-old victim was reportedly kidnapped outside his residence at 5 a.m. on October 13 while preparing to take a ride-hailing service to Senai International Airport for a business trip.
With their comprehensive investigation underway, authorities continue to build their case against the suspects involved in this highly organized and costly abduction.
Source: Malay Mail
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