KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 — Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department said today it succeeded in taking down a violent kidnapping syndicate that preyed on foreign nationals following a joint investigation with the Singapore Police Force.
The crackdown culminated in a shootout between police and suspects, leading to the rescue of two abducted victims — a Singaporean national who works as a retirement consultant, and a Chinese national woman.
Following the raid, CID director Commissioner Datuk M. Kumar said six individuals in their 30s comprising five men and one woman were arrested. Among those detained are one local Malaysian who is part of the criminal group, while the remaining five suspects are Chinese nationals.
“Their modus operandi was to look for victims through WeChat,” Commissioner Kumar said at a press conference at the Bukit Aman Federal Police Headquarters here.
“They pretended to offer high-paying jobs or social escorts. Once they get a response a meeting is set with the targets and then they get kidnapped,” he added.
During the operation, officers recovered two handguns and a machete.
The raiding team also found a second victim, a woman. Commissioner Kumar said the police was surprised to find the woman in separate room since the raid was initially planned only to rescue the Singaporean national.
The woman is a Chinese national, and no police report was lodged regarding her kidnapping.
Investigations revealed that prior to the rescue, SG$ 15,000 (RM49,600) had already been paid to the syndicate in three separate tranches for the Singaporean victim.
The kidnappers had also demanded a ransom of US$ 20,000 (RM89,000) for the Chinese national woman, but no payment was made.
Subsequent drug screenings showed that the arrested local suspect tested negative, while four of the male China nationals tested positive. All six suspects have been remanded from August 7 to August 14 to assist with ongoing investigations.
Police believe the syndicate is also linked to at least two other kidnapping cases in Kuala Lumpur.
The case came to light after another victim managed to break free from the captors and lodged a police report.
Police have urged the public to exercise extreme caution on social media platforms, warning against accepting job or meeting offers from strangers or agreeing to meet individuals met online.
Date: 10 August, 2026 3:00 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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