SEPANG: A man claimed that he was duped by a friend and subsequently kidnapped to Myanmar during his purported travels in Bangkok, Thailand.
The victim, a 37-year-old trader who wanted to be known as Law, said his friend, whom he had known for almost 10 years, recently contacted and offered him a trip.
"He offered me an all-expense paid trip to Bangkok in May to attend a religious ritual and for a holiday," said Law.
"In Thailand, he brought me to a car and gave me a bottle of water to drink. I later passed out," he said after returning from Thailand at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.
Law said when he gained consciousness, he realised that he was on a boat heading to an unknown location, where he was held hostage and tortured for two months.
He later learnt that he was taken to Mae Sot in Myanmar.
"There were another Malaysian and four Chinese nationals held hostage with me. We were asked (by our captors) if we wanted to go back to our home countries.
"If we wanted to go back, the captors said our families must pay the ransom," adding that he was cut and beaten while in captivity.
"They beat me with sticks and metal rods. They also slit my left wrist and neck."
He said he managed to escape by following other hostages who fell victim to the syndicate.
Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said the victim managed to escape his captors and was fortunate to be rescued by a Myanmar soldier who was fluent in Malay.
"So we asked the soldier to keep the victim safe because we are worried that if he was moved to another place, he might be in danger.
"The victim is kept safe while our representatives negotiate with the Myanmar authorities to bring him home."
He added that they also received a report from the victim's wife about her husband's disappearance two months ago. He said the syndicate had demanded a ransom of RM50,000.
"We have informed the family members not to pay the syndicate because they will deceive us, and there is no guarantee that the victim will be able to return," he told reporters at the airport after receiving Law.
After negotiations had been completed, Law was taken to Bangkok from Mae Sot for arrangements to return to Malaysia.
Hisham also said that Malaysians should not easily trust free travel and job offers, especially those in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.
He also said that not everyone who went to these countries wanted to work as a scammer, as some had been genuinely deceived.
Law's wife, who wished to be known as Madam Law, reminded people not to easily trust anyone, even close friends.
"I want to remind everyone (Malaysians) not to easily trust anyone, even close friends because anyone can be deceived. Only family can truly be trusted," she said, adding that she was grateful that her husband was brought home safely.