5 Indians held in Thailand for abducting 3 tourists, demanding Rs 40 lakh ransom each

THAI police have arrested five Indian nationals for allegedly abducting three fellow Indian tourists and demanding a ransom of ₹40 lakh from each victim's family. The arrests were made at a hotel in Bangkok's Khlong Tan area as the suspects were reportedly preparing to leave the country. 

According to investigators, the three victims were lured to Pattaya with the promise of an inexpensive seven-day holiday package. Instead, they were allegedly taken to a house where they were held captive, assaulted and forced to contact their families to arrange ransom payments. The money was allegedly to be transferred through cryptocurrency. 

Thai authorities said the investigation began after the Indian Embassy in Thailand alerted local police following complaints from the victims' families. Acting on intelligence inputs and CCTV footage, police raided the hideout in Pattaya and rescued the three men. They were reportedly found tied up and showing signs of physical assault.

Police have identified the arrested suspects as Avtar Singh, Jagjit Singh, Rambalak Kumar, Sukhbir Singh and Kulra Singh. During questioning, the accused allegedly claimed they were acting on the instructions of a Pakistan-linked individual believed to be operating from Dubai.

Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the alleged mastermind. Thai police say the claims are part of the ongoing investigation and have not yet been established in court