FBI searching for Chinese citizen kidnapped in LA for US$2m ransom

The FBI is offering a reward of up to US$25,000 on Monday for information about the whereabout of a Chinese businessman who was kidnapped in Los Angeles' San Gabriel area.

According to information on the FBI's official website, the victim is 28-year-old Ruochen "Tony" Liao, who was born in Sichuan Province of China and was involved in a business selling luxury cars.

"On July 16, 2018, at approximately 7:30pm, Ruochen 'Tony' Liao was kidnapped in San Gabriel, California, by three men. He was last seen entering a dark-colored minivan in San Gabriel with a man later identified as 'David'," FBI said. "'David' is described as a Chinese male, 35 to 40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, who speaks Mandarin."

Besides the US$25,000 award, FBI also posted a forensic sketch of "David."

Local ABC 7 news channel said images captured by surveillance cameras on the scene showed that there are one minivan and one SUV driven by the alleged abductors, two of whom were in the SUV, and Tony was taken away in the minivan, which carried the third suspect "David."

The suspects are demanding US$2 million from Liao's family for his return. ABC 7 reported that Liao's family did not pay the money but is offering a US$150,000 reward for information leading to his return.

"Our hope is that Tony is still alive. We're operating under the premise that he is still alive, which is why this reward and the publicity is so crucial to this case. However...as these cases progress, the chances of someone remaining alive can diminish," FBI agent Gene Kowell told ABC 7.

An official of the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles told Xinhua Monday evening that the consulate is following the case and keeping close contact with the US authorities and the victim's relatives.

"We have provided necessary help to his family," the official said. "We hope US authorities will continue working for his recovery and conclude the case as soon as possible."