Mother Lodges Report After Son Who Went To Thailand Believed To Have Been Kidnapped For Ransom - Police

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- Penang police have confirmed receiving a police report from a woman that her son has gone missing after going to Thailand for work, before a claim of him being kidnapped for ransom surfaced last month.

Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said they received a police report from the woman in Sungai Dua here yesterday and further investigations are being conducted to verify the claim, including efforts to trace her son.

"Based on the police report, the woman claimed that her son had gone to a neighbouring country at his own free will and was not coerced by anyone. However, his mother later received threats claiming that he had been kidnapped.

"The victim then filed a police report yesterday, following which we are conducting further investigations to gather more extensive information about the man's travel abroad," said Azizee when contacted by Bernama today.

Media previously reported that the mother from Penang was facing a traumatic ordeal when her son was believed to have been kidnapped by a job scam syndicate in Thailand, with a threat to cut off his hand if ransom was not paid.

The victim, Lai, 25, worked as a shop renovation contractor for new store openings before disappearing and falling under the syndicate's control since mid-September.

His mother, wishing to be known as Rose, 52, reportedly said she began communicating with the group on Sept 16, after receiving a message demanding ransom for her son's release, accompanied by threats to sever his hand if she refused to pay.

Meanwhile, Barat Daya District Police Chief ACP Sazalee Adam said investigations revealed that the man, who was said to have gone to Thailand for work there, has never been or has no record of having left the country since Oct 21, 2019.

However, he said that further investigation is being carried out, including gathering information to complete the case inquiry.

"Police are currently investigating the case under Sections 347 and 384 of the Penal Code. Investigation results also found that the man has never left the country since Oct 21, 2019, with the last time he went abroad being to China on Oct 13, 2019, and returning on Oct 21 of the same year," he said in a statement tonight.

Sazalee informed that the police will conduct the case investigation from various angles, and he also urged and requested all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or community representatives not to make any speculations or hold press conferences without referring to the police or the agencies involved.

-- BERNAMA