VietNamNet Bridge – A 14-year-old girl kidnapped for a ransom of VND1 billion (US$47,500) was safely rescued on Wednesday by police in the southern city of Can Tho.

After being captured by the police, the gang of five, four of whom were in their twenties and one more than 40, allegedly admitted their crime.— Photo: VNN

They were working in co-operation with their HCM City colleagues, according to a press conference held by Can Tho City Police yesterday, April 24.

According to police, the girl, Nguyen Han Duy, was seized by a gang of five in Tuesday afternoon while being taken to school on a motorbike by her uncle, Nguyen Van Khanh, a resident of Thoi Lai District, Can Tho City.

A seven-seat car suddenly pressed the two against the pavement. Some men then jumped out of the car, started beating Khanh, took his motorbike key, dragged his niece inside their car and quickly drove off.

They then called Nguyen Thi Diem Thuy, Duy's mother, asking her to go to the southern province of Binh Duong with a ransom of VND1 billion for the return of her daughter. They reportedly threatened to kill Duy if the mother called the police.

Police later found out that the kidnappers were heading to HCM City and quickly informed the Department for Investigation of Social Order-related Crimes.

The next day's morning, the department managed to rescue Duy while she was locked inside a hotel in Binh Tri Dong Ward, Binh Tan District in HCM City.

After being captured by the police, the gang of five, four of whom were in their twenties and one more than 40, allegedly admitted their crime.

Twenty-year-old Nguyen Thi Kim Chi, who is a neighbour to Duy's family, is said to have organised the crime. She came up with the idea after learning that the family had collected money from the sale of land.

Police involved were commended yesterday for their fast investigation.

VNS/VNN