`Kidnap’ victim charged after turning up for ransom money

The police say that at about 1545h. on 2014-03-25, relatives of Ramraj Singh, 19 years, of Foulis, Enmore, reported to the police that at about 1915h. on 2014-03-24 they had received a telephone call to the effect that he had been kidnapped and a demand of $3.5M was made for his safe return.

Singh, police say,  was reported to have left home earlier during the evening of 2014-03-24 to buy a phone card.

Based on subsequent police investigations, including the tracking of phone calls, it was suspected that the “kidnapping” had been concocted, police said.

As a result, a sting operation was set up and the “kidnap victim” was arrested on 2014-03-26 as he turned up to pick up the “ransom money” at the agreed on location, police added.

Singh has been charged with attempt to commit a felony to wit obtaining money by false pretence and appeared before Magistrate Zamilla. Ally at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court today.

He has been placed on bail in the sum of $200,000.00 to return to court on 2014-04-14.