Malaysia

Police probe suspected staged kidnapping after woman found safe in less than 24 hours

Investigators believe the purported abduction may have been staged, leading to the detention of both the woman and a male suspect

Updated 2 months ago · Published on 21 Jun 2026 9:48AM

Police probe suspected staged kidnapping after woman found safe in less than 24 hours — A woman in her 20s reported missing in an alleged RM18,000 ransom kidnapping has been rescued within 24 hours in a coordinated nationwide police operation - June 21, 2026

POLICE are investigating a suspected staged kidnapping after rescuing a woman in her 20s less than 24 hours after her mother reported that she had been abducted and held for an RM18,000 ransom.

Royal Malaysia Police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said the woman's 43-year-old mother lodged a report at the Padawan District Police Headquarters in Sarawak yesterday, claiming her daughter had been kidnapped and that a ransom had been demanded for her release.

The report prompted the launch of Op Scorpion, with a special task force comprising officers from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department working alongside their counterparts in Johor and Sarawak to trace the victim, who was last known to be in Johor Bahru.

"Based on intelligence and information gathered, the special task force successfully rescued the victim at a house in the Taman Perniagaan Setia area of Johor Bahru at about 3.30pm today.

"A 27-year-old man was also arrested at the same location," he said in a statement today.

Police checks revealed that the suspect has three previous arrests on record, comprising two drug-related offences and one criminal offence.

Investigators also seized four mobile phones to assist with the investigation.

Kumar said the case is being investigated under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961 for kidnapping for ransom.

"However, preliminary investigations found that the kidnapping narrative provided by the victim raised doubts, resulting in the woman also being detained to assist with the investigation," he said.

He added that police will apply tomorrow to remand both the male suspect and the woman under Section 12 of the Kidnapping Act 1961.

"The actual motive behind the incident remains under investigation.

"The public is advised not to engage in speculation or make comments that could interfere with the investigation or manipulate the facts in a manner that causes unnecessary public concern," he said. - June 21, 2026