First kidnapping to demand ransom payment in bitcoins

[sirianu]

The mastermind behind the sensational kidnapping of Hong Kong tycoon Wong Kwan is in the SAR, say Taiwan police, who have asked the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau to help track him down.

The kidnappers had threatened to dig out the eyeballs or chop off the legs of the Pearl Oriental Oil chairman -also known as Wong Yuk-kwan if his family did not pay a HK$70 million ransom in bitcoins, said Taiwanese police, who rescued the 68-year-old on Tuesday night.

The kidnappers had threatened to harm Wong as his family had paid only HK$13 million by the ransom deadline on Friday, putting pressure on police to take action.

Fifteen Taiwanese, including local triad members and a village chief, have been arrested. But police suspect a cross-border syndicate is run from the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and that the main culprits are still at large.

Cai Wen-li of the notorious United Bamboo Gang is suspected to be one of the leaders of the operation, responsible for directing the kidnap gang in Taiwan. Another two who allegedly played major roles are Cai Guang- zhong, who commuted between Hong Kong and Taiwan, and village chief Cai Mao-dian.

Wong was charged in Hong Kong with fraud two years ago. He was granted HK$500 million bail so he could seek medical treatment in Taiwan.

He was abducted by two men in a vehicle on September 20.

Later, the kidnappers sent e-mails to Wong's company asking for the ransom.

The wife later received more e-mails asking for HK$70 million and three videos that showed Wong asking the family to pay as soon as possible and not to call police.

The accused fraudster was found in an abandoned house in Kouhu township, Yunlin county, in western Taiwan, after 38 days in captivity.

'I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE' - The Standard