Man kidnapped in Kelantan paid protection money for 2 years, say cops
PETALING JAYA : The owner of a gold shop kidnapped by a group of men in Tumpat, Kelantan, on May 20 was allegedly forced to pay them protection money for over two years, say police.
Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the 44-year-old finally lodged a police report, causing the suspects to kidnap him, although they released him the same day.
He said the victim had not lodged a report earlier out of fear for his family's safety.
'The suspects demanded 80kg of gold, worth about RM35 million, from the victim.
'The victim refused to do so, leading to his kidnapping,' Berita Harian reported Yusoff as saying.
He said two of the suspects had been identified as being from Tumpat, while two others had yet to be found.
'We will issue photofits of the suspects, who are believed to be still in the state,' he said.
On May 20, a video spread on social media of the victim's car being blocked by the kidnappers, who forced him into a grey Suzuki Swift.
Yusoff said the case was being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for abduction with the intent of secretly and wrongfully confining a person.
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