KUCHING: An alleged kidnapping-for-ransom case has taken an unexpected turn after police rescued the purported victim within 24 hours, only to later arrest her after uncovering inconsistencies in her account of the incident.
The Sarawakian woman, in her 20s, was found safe at a house in Johor Bahru today (June 20) following ‘Ops Scorpion’, a joint operation conducted by the Bukit Aman, Johor and Sarawak Criminal Investigation Departments (CID).
Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk M Kumar S Muthuvelu said the operation was launched after the woman’s 43-year-old mother lodged a police report on Friday (June 19) in Padawan, claiming her daughter had been kidnapped and that the abductors demanded RM18,000 in ransom.
“Acting on intelligence and information gathered during the investigation, the task force successfully rescued the victim at around 3.30 pm at a house in Taman Perniagaan Setia, Johor Bahru.
“A 27-year-old local man was also arrested at the same location. Background checks found that the man has three prior records involving two drug-related offences and one criminal case,” he said.
Four phones believed to be linked to the investigation were also confiscated.
The case is being investigated under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for kidnapping for ransom, an offence punishable with up to 40 years’ imprisonment and whipping, upon conviction.
However, Kumar said preliminary investigations found the woman’s version of events to be doubtful, prompting police to arrest her to assist investigations.
“Both the suspect and the woman will be brought to court tomorrow (June 21) for remand proceedings under Section 12 of the Kidnapping Act 1961.
“Police are still investigating the actual motive behind the incident.
“Members of the public have been urged to refrain from speculation or spreading unverified information that could interfere with investigation,” he said.
