Five Indians Arrested in Thailand for Alleged Kidnapping Scheme Involving Ransom

Kidnapping Incident in Thailand

Bangkok: Authorities in Thailand have detained five Indian nationals on charges of kidnapping three fellow Indians and extorting ransom for their release, as reported by local media.

The arrests took place at a hotel in the Khlong Tan district of Bangkok on Tuesday, where the suspects were preparing to board a flight out of the country, according to police sources.

The individuals apprehended have been named as Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37), and Kulra Singh (27).

During questioning, the suspects revealed that a Pakistani national, whom they had met via a messaging app over the past month, had directed them to kidnap the three Indian tourists.

The alleged orchestrator of this scheme is reportedly located in Dubai and intended to receive the ransom payments in cryptocurrency.

Police disclosed that the suspects were promised valuables, cash, and airline tickets as compensation for executing the kidnapping.

The victims were reportedly enticed to Pattaya with an offer of a budget-friendly seven-day vacation package.

However, they were taken to a residence where they were held captive for several days and subjected to torture before being rescued by law enforcement on Monday evening.

The investigation was initiated after the Indian Embassy in Thailand notified local authorities on July 21, following concerns raised by the victims' families.

Relatives had provided video evidence showing the victims bound and allegedly assaulted, with the kidnappers demanding a ransom of INR 40 lakh (approximately USD 41,831) from each victim's family.

Based on intelligence and surveillance footage, police executed a raid on a two-story townhouse in Pattaya on Monday, successfully rescuing the three Indian men, identified as Mohit (23), Ashish (24), and Himanshu (20).

Upon rescue, the victims were discovered confined separately on the second floor, with their hands and feet restrained and mouths taped shut, showing visible signs of abuse.

Investigators retrieved adhesive tape, a wooden object believed to have been used in the assaults, and red spray paint, which was likely used to create staged images and videos of the victims sent to their families to coerce them into paying the ransom.

Reports indicate that another Indian national had previously been held at the same location and was released after his family paid a ransom of around INR 30 lakh.