Thai actor faces questions after Singaporean man pays bitcoin ransom to flee from captors

Police said the star was linked to the abduction after the victim claimed he owned a pickup truck used in the crime

The businessman, who transferred US$742,418 in bitcoin to his abductors, said he was kidnapped by a group of men including a Singaporean

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Mark Cheng claimed he was tortured and ordered to pay a ransom in bitcoin. Photo: Today Online

Published: 3:05pm, 14 Jan 2020Updated: 1:08pm, 15 Jan 2020

An unnamed Thai actor will be summoned for questioning over the kidnap for ransom of a 33-year-old Singaporean businessman who escaped from his captors last Friday, Thai police said on Monday.

Pol Lt Gen Montri Yimyaem, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, said the actor was linked to the abduction after the victim, Mark Cheng, claimed he owned a pickup truck used in the kidnapping.

In a complaint filed with police, Cheng said he was abducted by a group of men including a Singaporean, identified only as Kim, that he had met recently. He claimed he was tortured and ordered to pay a ransom in bitcoin.

Pol Lt Gen Montri said Kim had been detained along with at least three more people thought to be involved.

Thai authorities also searched the house belonging to a person of interest and found equipment and materials linked to the kidnapping. He said police were also investigating if the abduction was related to a business conflict.

Pol Maj Gen Chakrit Sawatdi, commander of Chachoengsao provincial police, was checking the electronic financial transaction claimed by the victim, he said.