20 individuals detained over fortune-teller’s abduction

GEORGETOWN – A couple and their son, who are local citizens, along with 17 other individuals, were detained to assist with the investigation into the abduction of a fortune-teller from India on Thursday.

Penang Police Chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said 11 of those detained were foreigners and did not have valid travel documents.

He said all those aged between 24 and 60 years old were detained in a series of raids at several locations around Bukit Mertajam and Kulim, Kedah.

He said the arrests of all the suspects were made after police received a report on November 8 from a man who said the son of his friend had been abducted.

"We arrested seven local men, two women and 11 foreign nationals to assist the investigation. They are a couple, their son and the sister of the suspect's wife.

"While the other suspects, they were only acquaintances to the family and were not related to them. The incident is believed to have an element of fraud.

"However, further investigations are still underway. With the arrest of all these suspects, we believe this case has been completed.

“All of them are remanded until November 13," he said at a press conference at the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters on Friday.

Shuhaily said, following the arrest of the suspect, police managed to rescue the victim at a house in Taman Desa Aman, Padang Serai in Kulim.

"When found, the victim was on the floor with his legs chained using a metal chain and suffered several minor wounds believed to have been hit in the legs and back of the body.

"The victim has been sent to the hospital for further examination and treatment. Further investigation found that the suspect had contacted the victim's family who was in his home country and asked for a ransom of RM700,000.

“The family has paid a sum of money to the suspect," he said.

He said the investigation found that victims entered the country in 2020 in search of business opportunities.

"The suspect worked as a restaurant worker, businessman and several other jobs.

“The couple are retirees while their wives and children are private workers," he said.

In the meantime, Shuhaily said, police also seized several items including a Toyota Vios in the suspect's arrest.

"Among those confiscated were 17 mobile phones, seven bank books, seven ATM cards, two iron bars, a wood baton, iron chain and RM2,085 cash.

“A preliminary investigation found that all suspects had not been involved in other cases before.

"The case is investigated in accordance with Section 363 of the Penal Code and if convicted, can be jailed for up to seven years," he said.