Police arrest former civil servant over 'kidnapping' case

Police have arrested a former civil servant for extorting his wife of RM8,000 after claiming that he was kidnapped two weeks ago.

Kota Kinabalu Police chief ACP Jauteh Dikun said the man, in early 30s, was arrested while withdrawing money from an automated teller machine (ATM) at 3pm on May 16.

"On May 15, the man's 22-year-old wife received several photographs of him and was told to deposit money into a bank account to ensure his release.

"An investigation found that the man made up the story that he was kidnapped by a group of men on May 7," he told a press conference, here Wednesday.

Jauteh said police also seized nine SIM cards, including the one used to contact his wife asking for the 'ransom'.