Bukit Aman busts violent kidnapping syndicate preying on foreigners, discovers unknown victim after shootout
Malaysian police, in collaboration with Singaporean authorities, dismantled a kidnapping syndicate that targeted foreigners via WeChat. The operation resulted in the rescue of two victims and the arrest of six suspects.
Why it matters
The case highlights the growing threat of transnational organized crime utilizing social media platforms for human trafficking and extortion.
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.
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