KOTA KINABALU: A 25-year-old farmer from Keningau is allegedly being held for a US$7,000 (RM31,000) ransom by a human trafficking syndicate in Myanmar after being lured with a fake job offer in Singapore.
The victim, Grayson, was reportedly enticed by two high school friends who flaunted their sudden wealth during a Chinese New Year gathering, claiming they had achieved success within a year.
Believing in their promises, Grayson kept the opportunity a secret from his family, except for his 21-year-old wife, who now cares for their three-month-old baby.
His first call home on 6 March was a desperate plea for help, revealing he was being tortured through sleep deprivation and electroshock while facing further threats.
His family has sought help from the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO), which warns that even if the ransom is paid, the victim may still be sold to larger syndicates.