Krasnoyarsk businessman's son recounts kidnapping after threats

The son of Krasnoyarsk businessman Andrei Kaplya gave three million rubles (approximately $33,000 at current rates) to fraudsters, which he stole from home safes, the press service of the Investigative Committee department reported.

The boy told investigators that the fraudsters threatened him over the phone:

«They said that my reputation would definitely suffer, it would affect my brother, that he would be expelled,» the teenager says in an operational video.

The teenager admitted to the fraudsters that he was home alone when they asked him about it. The guy thought he was communicating with law enforcement representatives and helping his father.

«[They asked] not to tell anyone about this and [even] not to think [about it], because they are listening to everything,» the boy tells the investigator on the video. «If they find out, there will be problems.»

According to the Investigative Committee, the boy handed the money to the fraudsters together with a girl from another city, who apparently took him from Serebryany Bor (a district in Krasnoyarsk), where the teenager«s family lives.

«The actions and role of the girl in the committed crime will be given a legal assessment,» clarified the press service of the Investigative Committee. She, like the boy, was taken to the investigative department and is being interrogated.

Earlier, TASS and Telegram channels reported that the girl is 18 years old, from Surgut, and also became a victim of fraudsters.

The teenager and the girl were found on the evening of January 23 in a rented apartment on Krasnoyarsky Rabochy Avenue. The 14-year-old boy went missing on the evening of January 22. It was reported that from the village of Serebryany Bor (a district in Krasnoyarsk), where he lives, the guy was taken away by some girl. They got into a taxi and left in an unknown direction. Three million rubles (approximately $33,000 at current rates) disappeared from the safes in the businessman«s house.

Later, Andrei Kaplya was demanded a ransom of 30 million rubles (approximately $333,000 at current rates). Investigators initiated a criminal case on kidnapping, but also considered the version of fraudsters. On the evening of January 23, Nikolai and the girl were found in a rented apartment on Krasnoyarsky Rabochy Avenue.

A criminal case on kidnapping has been initiated (points «a», «d», «z» of part 2 of Article 126 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), suspects and accomplices are being identified.

Earlier, NGS24.RU wrote that the teenager«s father Andrei Kaplya is the »king of state orders« and one of the richest businessmen in the region. According to the service »Kontur.Fokus«, he owns large Krasnoyarsk firms »NBS-Sibir« and »Avtospetsmash«. The businessman did not link his son»s disappearance to his activities.

NGS24.RU conducted a live broadcast about the incident.