Two Chinese nationals faced charges in a Kuala Lumpur court on May 13 for staging a kidnapping to get money from parents.
The 18-year-old student, Ye Yingxi, who studies at Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), traveled from Singapore to Malaysia on April 30. He had been playing online games in Singapore just one day before crossing into Johor.
After Ye entered Malaysia, his parents in Dubai received messages claiming their son had been kidnapped. The ransom demands started at 500,000 yuan (S$88,800) and later increased to 3.5 million yuan (S$624,000). The alleged captors threatened to sell the young man’s organs if payment wasn’t made.
Ye’s 40-year-old mother told Chinese media the family was shocked and didn’t know why her son went to Malaysia. She said her son had recently told his grandfather about falling victim to an online romance scam and had asked to borrow money.
Malaysian police arrested a 23-year-old accomplice at Penang International Airport on May 4. This person reportedly filmed videos showing Ye restrained and attacked as evidence of the kidnapping. The videos showed the SIM student beaten, strangled, tied to a chair, and gagged.
The 23-year-old claimed someone posing as a “Chinese police officer” told him to help make these videos for what he thought was an anti-fraud campaign.
Authorities found Ye four days after he was reported missing in Baling, Kedah, with only a minor leg injury. He first claimed his kidnappers had released him and he reached a police station to call his grandfather in China.
Police noticed problems with his story during questioning and began to suspect the kidnapping was fake.
On May 13, Malaysian authorities stated their investigation showed the entire incident was planned by Ye and his accomplice. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Their passports were taken, and they were released on RM30,000 (S$9,108) bail. The case will continue on May 17. If found guilty, they could face up to 10 years in jail and a fine.
Malaysian police say more people might be involved in the scheme.
