A 72-year-old Singaporean man was allegedly lured to Malaysia with a job offer before being kidnapped and held for a S$1 million ransom.
The man was rescued by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) in Kedah on 7 August 2026, after his family alerted the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
He is safe and has received medical attention, SPF said in a statement on 10 August.
He Travelled Alone to Malaysia on 26 July
According to SPF, the man travelled alone to Malaysia on 26 July.
Malaysian media reported that he had flown to Penang after responding to an offer to work as a consultant.
On 4 August, his family received information indicating that he might have been kidnapped and that money was being demanded for his release.
The man’s sister received a voice message saying he had been kidnapped. The family also reportedly received a video showing him restrained, blindfolded and injured.
The kidnappers allegedly demanded S$1 million.
The family subsequently made three payments totalling about RM48,000, or approximately S$15,000, in an attempt to secure his release.
Singapore and Malaysian Police Worked Together
After the family contacted SPF, Singapore police immediately sought help from their Malaysian counterparts and passed relevant information to them.
RMP subsequently conducted an operation at a house in Alor Setar, Kedah, on 7 August.
The Singaporean man and an unrelated 33-year-old woman were rescued during the operation.
Two suspected syndicate members were shot dead after allegedly opening fire at the police, while six other people were arrested to assist with investigations, according to Malaysian police information reported by CNA and The Straits Times.
Malaysian police reportedly recovered firearms, ammunition and a parang during the operation.
SPF said it supported the investigation from Singapore while assisting the man’s family.
Syndicate Allegedly Approached Victims Online
Preliminary investigations by RMP found that members of the alleged syndicate used online platforms such as Telegram, WeChat and Badoo to become acquainted with potential victims.
The victims would then allegedly be invited to meet in person for reasons such as employment, holidays or social activities.
Malaysian police also linked the group to two earlier kidnapping cases in Kuala Lumpur.
SPF advised people to be cautious when dealing with individuals they have met online, particularly when someone they do not know well asks them to meet or travel overseas.
