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'I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE'
Amy Nip
Thursday, October 29, 2015
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 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" were his first words after the rescue.
He was blindfolded and his ankles were cuffed when police found him. He was wearing a white shirt and shorts and sitting on a mattress.
Wong was frightened when officers stormed in but calmed down when told that things would be okay.
Officers initially thought they had rescued the wrong man as he had sunken cheeks that had been burned by cigarettes and looked different to photographs.
He told his rescuers: "You guys are finally here. I am Wong Kwan. Please save me!"
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.
Days later, Wong's wife received an overseas call that claimed Wong had yet to settle a HK$600 million business deal. It did not mention the kidnapping.
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.
Twelve arrests were made in Taipei, Taoyuan and Yunlin municipalities on Monday.
But the billionaire had been transferred to another location. It was not until Tuesday night that police located him in an abandoned building that used to be a karaoke bar. Wong was sent to hospital after the rescue.
Wong's company, in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange, said it was contacted by him yesterday.
Even though he was having a medical examination, the chairman was able to resume his role with the company.
Those arrested have denied kidnapping Wong, saying he owed people money and they were helping to "settle a financial dispute."
A Hong Kong police spokesman said the force is maintaining close liaison and collaborating with overseas law enforcement agencies.
Wong was supposed to appear in the High Court yesterday for variation of a restraint order. The hearing was adjourned to December 9.
source:
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=31&art_id=162657&sid=45464435&con_type=3
