Another Case of Kidnapped Chinese in Philippines Emerges

A recent case involving the kidnapping of two ethnic Chinese men in the Philippines has come to light, adding to a similar incident that occurred earlier. [para. 1] In January, Li Jia, a Chinese citizen employed with a German company, was kidnapped along with his Austrian-Chinese friend, Zhao Dong, during a business trip to the Philippines. [para. 2] Li's family initially made partial ransom payments in USDT, but lost contact with him afterward. Meanwhile, Zhao's family, who did not pay any ransom, also lost touch with him. [para. 3]

The kidnapping incident involving Li and Zhao mirrors another case wherein two ethnic Chinese medical executives were similarly lured to the Philippines under the pretext of a business trip before being abducted. The ransom in both cases was demanded in USDT, a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar. The bodies of the two medical executives were found on June 24 in a town far from Manila. [para. 4] Li's sister expressed regret, speculating that a timely report on her brother’s case might have prevented the second kidnapping. [para. 5] Authorities from China, the Philippines, Austria, and Germany are currently investigating the cases. [para. 6]

Li and Zhao landed in the Philippines on January 18 after transiting through Hong Kong. Li communicated with his sister about their arrival but then went unresponsive. [para. 7] Li's sister reported that they usually communicated frequently, and she was unaware of his plans to visit the Philippines, which he had kept secret. [para. 8] The following day, Li called his sister in Mandarin, urgently asking her to raise 1.5 million USDT, which aroused her suspicion as they typically spoke in their hometown dialect. [para. 9] He sounded weak and pleaded intermittently, indicating under duress, as kidnappers threatened him during the call. [para. 10] Li's sister immediately contacted the Chinese police, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). [para. 11]

A businessman, described by Li as "big brother" and claiming to be of Cypriot-Chinese origin, might be involved in the kidnapping, according to Li's sister. [para. 12] This man had multiple passports and had introduced Li to a woman associated with investment projects in the Philippines. Even after Li's abduction, this businessman assured the family that he would help, precipitating ransom negotiations. [para. 13] Eventually, the family paid 190,000 USDT across several accounts, despite the AKG officer's advice to limit the payment. [para. 15] However, demands for additional ransom followed. [para. 16]

By January 25, communication from Li shifted, asking not to be contacted further and claiming he was safe and taking a break. [para. 17] His last known message was received on January 26, stating he was fine and asking the family to await further news. [para. 18] The "big brother" continued to reassure Li's family about his well-being and discussed potential local assistance, but their last contact was on February 6. [para. 19][para. 20] Since then, the family has not received any communication from either Li or "big brother." [para. 21] Li’s sister expressed profound distress over the uncertainty surrounding Li’s fate, emphasizing the family’s daily ordeal of waiting for news. [para. 22] Notably, Li Jia and Zhao Dong are pseudonyms. [para. 23]

Reporters for further contact: Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com). [para. 24]