Kidnappers of S'porean man, 72, allegedly demanded S$1 million ransom from family

The kidnappers of a 72-year-old Singaporean man in Malaysia allegedly demanded a ransom of S$1 million from his family.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that a Criminal Investigation Department Director said during an Aug. 10 press conference in Malaysia that the man apparently met a woman online.

She was said to have invited him to Penang, Malaysia, with a high-paying consulting job.

Ransom demand

According to an earlier report, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed via an Aug. 10 news release that the man had travelled on his own to Malaysia on Jul. 26, 2026.

His family subsequently alerted the SPF after getting worried about his safety.

He had reportedly disappeared after arriving at an airport in Penang on Jul. 26.

On Aug. 4, his family was said to have received audio and video messages showing him blindfolded, handcuffed, and repeatedly beaten, Zaobao reported.

After negotiations following the ransom demand, the family transferred about S$15,000 to the kidnappers' account in three installments,

The money was immediately withdrawn.

Operation

The release noted that the SPF had sought the assistance of the Malaysian police and shared relevant information with them.

Subsequently, at about 8:40pm on Aug. 7, Malaysian police raided a residence in Kedah, Malaysia, Zaobao reported.

Officers faced gunfire from the suspects when they entered.

They were then forced to return fire and killed two suspects.

The man and a 33-year-old female Chinese national who were later rescued from different rooms within the house were found to be blindfolded and handcuffed with injuries.

Both were taken to the hospital for treatment and discharged the same day.

Zaobao reported that the operation also saw two handguns, ammunition, and a machete being recovered at the scene.

Suspects allegedly involved in other cases

Police then arrested six suspects at another residence nearby.

The suspects included one Malaysian man, as well as five Chinese national men and women.

Zaobao reported that group had allegedly been involved in at least two other kidnapping cases.

This involved kidnapping two female Chinese nationals in Kuala Lumpur, where one of them escaped and reported the kidnapping to the police.

The other had been rescued by the police.

Based on preliminary investigations by the Malaysia police, the suspects allegedly used social media and online platforms, including Telegram, WeChat and Badoo to establish acquaintances with potential victims.

They would then invite the victims to meet in person under various pretexts, including going on holiday, employment opportunities or socialising.

The SPF advised members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with persons they have met online, particularly where they do not know the person well and are invited to meet in person or travel overseas.