Five Indians arrested for kidnapping 3 fellow nationals in Thailand; Pakistan link under scrutiny
According to Thai police, the accused were acting on the instructions of a Pakistani man believed to be based in Dubai, who allegedly planned the kidnapping and wanted the ransom to be paid in cryptocurrency. In return for carrying out the kidnapping, they were allegedly promised cash, valuables and flight tickets out of Thailand.
Each reportedly paid around 70,000 baht (around ₹2 lakh) for the tour.
Investigators said the three victims were lured to Pattaya with the promise of a cheap seven-day holiday package. But they were allegedly taken to a house, tied up, held captive for a week and tortured while the kidnappers demanded ₹40 lakh from each victim’s family.
The arrested accused have been identified as Avtar Singh (38), Jagjit Singh (38), Rambalak Kumar (24), Sukhbir Singh (37) and Kulra Singh (27). They were arrested at a hotel in Bangkok’s Khlong Tan area while allegedly preparing to leave Thailand.
The case came to light after the Indian Embassy in Thailand alerted local police on July 21 following complaints from the victims’ families. According to the Bangkok Post, family members shared video call recordings that allegedly showed the victims with their hands and feet tied as the kidnappers demanded the ransom.
Police then raided a two-storey house in Pattaya on Monday and rescued the three kidnapped Indian men. The victims, identified as Mohit (23), Ashish (24) and Himanshu (20), were found on the first floor of the house. Police said they were tied up, gagged and had visible injuries.
During the search, officers recovered adhesive tape, a wooden stick-like object that they believe was used to beat the victims, and red spray paint. Investigators suspect the kidnappers used the spray paint to create fake blood-like injuries in photos and videos, which were then sent to the victims’ families
The rescued men also told police that they were not the first victims. According to their statements, another Indian national had earlier been held captive at the same house and was released only after his family allegedly paid around ₹30 lakh as ransom.