Three Pakistanis Kidnapped in Thailand in ‘Honey Trap’ Incident
SAHIWAL/ISLAMABAD: In a disturbing development highlighting the dangers of cross-border crime and online manipulation, three young men from Sahiwal, Punjab, have reportedly been kidnapped in Thailand after being lured by Indian women in what is believed to be a honey trap scheme.
Victims Lured Through Social Media, Families Say
The victims — Usman Amin, Muhammad Ahmed, and Tajammul Shehzad — travelled to Thailand on May 26, 2025, accompanied by a friend from Faisalabad. According to the victims’ families, the group had been in contact with the women over the phone for weeks. The women allegedly sent them airline tickets and remained in regular communication until the men arrived in Thailand.
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Kidnapped Near Myanmar Border, Rs 10 Million Ransom Demanded
Upon arrival in Thailand, the young men were reportedly kidnapped and transported close to the Myanmar border, where the captors demanded a ransom of Rs 10 million from their families for their safe return.
Families claim unidentified men were present at Lahore Airport to see the group off, raising suspicions of an organised human trafficking network operating across borders.
Embassy Criticised for Inaction
The incident has sparked outrage over the alleged lack of action by the Pakistani Embassy in Thailand. Families say they have received no updates despite repeatedly contacting diplomatic officials.
Relatives have now called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene urgently to ensure the safe recovery of the kidnapped men.
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Growing Concern Over Cross-Border Trafficking
This case has renewed fears about rising incidents of honey traps targeting Pakistanis abroad, particularly young men lured through social media and dating platforms.
Security experts have urged travellers to exercise extreme caution when engaging with unknown contacts online and to verify travel arrangements independently.
What is a Honey Trap?
A honey trap is a deceptive ploy where individuals, often posing as romantic interests, lure victims into compromising situations for extortion, blackmail, or kidnapping. Such traps have been increasingly reported in South and Southeast Asia.
Families Appeal for Urgent Action
As the ransom deadline approaches, families say they feel abandoned. “We plead with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Office to save our sons,” said one relative, who asked to remain anonymous.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the case.
