Hyderabad: Parents of an Indian student, who has been missing from Ohio in the US since March 7, have reported receiving a ransom call.
According to reports, the unidentified caller demanded nearly a lakh rupee from the parents and threatened to sell off their son’s kidney if the ransom is not paid.
The missing student identified as Abdul Mohammed (25) left for the US in May last year to pursue a master’s degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio. His family claimed that he has not spoken to them since March 7.
Abdul’s father, Mohammed Saleem, who is a resident of Hyderabad neighbourhood Nacharam in Medchal Malkajgiri, received a call last week from an unknown number. The caller informed him that his son had been kidnapped by drug sellers in Cleveland. He then demanded $1,200 to release him but did not specify the mode of payment.
“I am in a state of shock. The caller refused to give evidence that my son was in his custody. I tried telling him that we would follow his instructions but he got angry and refused to communicate further,” Saleem told Times of India.
Abdul’s parents had informed his relatives in the US after the ransom call following which they had filed a missing complaint with Cleveland police, which in its lookout notice has asked residents to report to them if they come across a student, wearing a white T-shirt, red jacket and blue jeans.
The family also reached out to the Indian consulate in Chicago on March 18, seeking assistance in locating Abdul. His mother, Abeda, has appealed to the Centre to intervene in the matter and ensure her son’s safe return
It may be recalled that an Indian student from Andhra Pradesh was found dead in the US, the ninth such incident in less than three months.
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