Five Indian men have been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly kidnapping three Indian nationals who were brought to Thailand with the promise of a cheap holiday package. The victims were kept captive for a week and tortured. The accused demanded Rs 70 lakh from their families as ransom. Thai police said the operation was allegedly controlled by a Pakistani national based in Dubai.
Five Suspects Arrested In Bangkok
The five accused, identified as Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37) and Kulra Singh (27) were arrested from a hotel in Khlong Tan area, the Bangkok Post reported. Police said they were waiting to leave Thailand on a flight when they were arrested. Investigators said they were working on the instructions of a Pakistani national, with whom they have been in contact through an app for about a month.
Victims Tricked With Holiday Package
According to police, the mastermind was operating from Dubai and had planned the kidnapping. He was also planning to receive ransom money through digital transfers. Thai police said the three Indian victims, aged between 23 and 26, were lured to Thailand with the promise of a cheap seven-day holiday package. Each victim reportedly paid around 70,000 baht (Rs 1,99,890) for the tour. They arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 21 and travelled to Pattaya by taxi.
Victims Tortured For Ransom
They were later taken to a meeting point at a fast-food restaurant on Sukhumvit Highway in Nongprue. Police said an Indian man then took them one by one on a motorcycle to a house in Bang Lamung district. According to investigators, the victims were locked inside two rooms with their hands, legs, and mouths tied. When police rescued them, officers found injuries and bruises on their ankles, which they said may have been caused by repeated beatings.
The victims told police that they were tortured every day. They alleged that they were hung upside down, beaten on their ankles, denied food, and restricted from using the toilet. They were also forced to call their families in India and demand a combined ransom of Rs 70 lakh.
How Were They Tracked?
Thai police rescued the three men after their relatives in India contacted authorities for help. The gang was using a Dubai-registered phone number to hide its location, but police managed to trace the suspects to the house where the three victims were held captive.
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