JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 30 – The police have recovered RM7.2 million from the estimated RM20 million ransom money paid by the family of a businessman who was kidnapped on Oct 13.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the recovered ransom included RM1.95 million in cash, one million Singapore dollars (RM3.3 million) and 400,000 in cryptocurrency (RM1.75 million).
“Besides this sum, we also found case items including a Pietro Beretta pistol, 250 live rounds of ammunition and a pair of handcuffs,” he told a press conference, which was also attended by Johor Police chief Datuk CP M. Kumar, at the Johor Police Contingent headquarters.
Elaborating, Mohd Shuhaily said so far, 14 individuals have been detained in connection with the case, and their roles in the kidnapping have been identified, including in the planning and execution of the abduction, disposal of evidence and management of the ransom funds.
However, he said the police are still investigating the motive and mastermind of the kidnapping of the businessman, who is a real estate developer.
“Regarding the victim’s family member who has also been detained, it is still under investigation. Revealing the identity might interfere with the investigation. For now, it is too early to share this information, but I can confirm that it is a woman,” he said.
