Five armed men kidnapped and extorted two Chinese businessmen in their office in Ratchada, Bangkok. After the victims initially agreed to pay 3.2 million baht, the assailants demanded more money, threatening to kill them if they failed to comply. The victims managed to contact relatives, who sent an additional 270,000 USDT (approximately 9 million baht), bringing the total extorted amount to over 12 million baht. The assailants released the victims in the Bang Khen area and then fled the scene. The Suriyasil Police are collaborating with the Criminal Investigation Division to track the suspects, who they believe are still in Thailand.
The incident was reported to the police around 10 PM on October 20, when the two victims, aged 30 and 35, filed a complaint after being attacked at their workplace by a group of five armed men. The victims stated that the abduction took place around 4 PM on October 19, when two Chinese men and three Myanmar men entered the office under the pretense of searching for someone named “Michael.” The assailants threatened the victims in Chinese, asking for money, and subsequently kidnapped them.
The victims relayed that they felt so threatened that they consented to the initial ransom, but upon being taken away by the assailants, they had to resort to asking relatives for more funds due to the threats of violence. After extracting the additional digital currency and discarding the victims’ SIM cards, the assailants finally released them the following day in Bang Khen. The police have classified this case as serious and are treating it with utmost urgency.
The police have confirmed that the victims were legally in Thailand, running a legitimate business assisting Chinese nationals in setting up companies. Authorities are currently investigating a possible connection to the ex-wife of one of the victims, who is also believed to be in Thailand. The police are examining vehicle registration details used by the suspects, which were found to be fake, as they strive to piece together the entire incident.
The police have taken necessary precautions by ensuring the victims’ safety and are continuing to investigate the whereabouts of the suspects, who have split up in their escape. The police are conducting forensic checks at the crime scene, and the victims remain under protective measures due to ongoing fears for their safety.
Later, officials conducted an on-site investigation at the crime location, with the victims and an interpreter present to assist with the inquiry, but the media were not permitted entry to preserve evidence. Despite inquiries from journalists, the victims expressed that they did not know who the assailants were and paid out of fear for their lives.
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This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
