A group of Indian nationals has been arrested in Thailand for allegedly kidnapping and holding for ransom three Indian youths who were lured to the country with a promise of a low-cost holiday package. The victims, all in their early 20s, were rescued by police on Monday after being held captive for five days in Pattaya.
The alleged kidnappers, identified as Avtar Singh, Jagjit Singh, Rambalak Kumar, Sukhbir Singh, and Kulra Singh, were arrested from a hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday while they were preparing to flee the country. According to local media reports, the suspects have admitted to the charges but claimed that a Pakistani national, who they were in contact with via a chat app, ordered them to kidnap the three Indians.
The alleged mastermind, reportedly based in Dubai, had planned to receive ransom payment in cryptocurrency. The suspects were promised valuables, cash, and airline tickets to leave Thailand after carrying out the operation. The investigation began after the Indian Embassy in Thailand alerted the police following complaints from the victims’ families.
The families had reportedly shared video call recordings showing the victims with their hands and feet tied, and with assault marks. The abductors demanded a ransom of Rs 40 lakh from the family of each victim. The police raided a two-storey townhouse in Pattaya and rescued the three victims, who told investigators that another Indian national had been held captive at the same property and was allegedly released after his relatives paid about Rs 30 lakh in ransom.
The victims were found confined separately on the second floor of the house with their hands and feet tied and their mouths taped. They also bore signs of assault. Investigators recovered adhesive tape, a wooden object allegedly used in the assaults, and red spray paint, which they believe was used to stage photographs and videos of the victims that were sent to their families to pressure them into paying the ransom.
