S'porean man kidnapped and killled in JB

[MarrickG]

The body of a Singaporean businessman and former loanshark was found dumped in a river in Johor Bahru, reported the Shin Min Daily News yesterday.

56-year-old Shen Zhi Rong, was suspected to have been a victim of a kidnapping gone awry, after his family were unable to pay the RM800,000 (about $320,000) ransom which the kidnappers demanded.

His body was found with his head wrapped in four layers of plastic, with his hands and feet bound.

According to the Chinese daily, Shen was kidnapped on Nov 26 in Johor Bahru. His wife, Madam Lin Cai Mei, 50, received a call the next day from the kidnappers, demanding the sum of money.

Over the next few days, they called Madam Lin and Shen's father, but both claimed they did not have such a large sum of money.

In their last call on Nov 29, the kidnappers finally lowered the ransom amount to RM400,000 (about S$19,000), but at that point in time, Shen's voice not be heard in the background.

His wife and father believe Shen could have already been killed by the kidnappers by then.

Offended underworld boss

The Chinese news daily also reported that Shen was a well-known figure in Johor Bahru, and is described as a generous man who was "easy to talk to".

According to interviews with those who knew him, Shen worked as a loanshark in the area, loaning cash and collecting them.

But he did not always return the full amount from the debts he collected.

"For example, if he collected RM50,000, he would pocket RM40,000", said one source.

This may have angered the "underworld boss" he was working for, said those who knew him.

But according to his wife, Shen had "retired" from the loanshark business for some time, and she is unaware who he could have offended.

Shen was last seen emerging from a restaurant after playing a game of mahjong with friends on Nov 26.

One arrested in connection with kidnapping and murder

A Chinese woman has been arrested in connection with the kidnap-cum-murder, reported the daily, and police are searching for at least one other male accomplice.

The woman is reported to be an acquaintance of Shen, and a Singaporean.

Malaysian authorities are still investigating the case.