Beijing ‘actively searching’ for missing Hong Kong residents held captive in Southeast Asia

Police say 12 Hong Kong residents had been detained against their will and at least two held for ransom so far this year after they fell for love and employment scams.

A total of 12 Hongkongers had been detained against their will and at least two of them held for ransom so far this year after they were conned into flying to Southeast Asian countries in employment fraud and internet love scams, an emerging crime trend that has sparked a pledge from the central government to protect the city’s residents overseas.

A source on Wednesday said one family was forced to pay a large ransom to secure the release of a man lured to Thailand to meet his online “girlfriend”.

“He was released and returned to Hong Kong earlier this month after a ransom involving tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars was paid,” the source said.

In full: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3189267/beijing-actively-searching-missing-hong-kong-residents

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