A man from Shanghai has been given a prison sentence for abducting his own granddaughter with the intention of using the ransom money to fuel his gambling addiction.
The Shanghai Law and Rule Journal reported the kidnapping, which was carried out by a 65-year-old man referred to only as Yuan. The exact date of the incident was not mentioned, but the news outlet stated on April 18 that Yuan had recently begun serving his jail term.
Yuan kicked off his plan by picking up his four-year-old granddaughter from her kindergarten and taking her out to eat and shop without her mother’s knowledge, the Journal reported.
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The girl’s mother then arrived at the school and realized her daughter was missing. She received a message from Yuan demanding $72,000, according to the Journal.
“Take out 500,000 yuan in three days, or you’ll never see your precious daughter again!” Yuan told his daughter, per the Journal.
The girl’s mother tried to convince Yuan to stop his plan, but he refused. She reported him to the police, and he was arrested for extortion and sent to a prison in Shanghai.
Yuan argued in court that the kidnapping was just a family dispute and not a crime, but the court didn’t accept his argument.
In China, some crimes that happen within families can be considered family affairs, but kidnapping is not one of them.
According to the Journal, Yuan was in urgent need of the ransom money as he had accumulated a large gambling debt and was suffering from stomach cancer. He also faced personal problems, including a divorce from his wife and neglecting his business because of his gambling addiction.
During his time in prison, Yuan refused to eat and went on a hunger strike. Additionally, he had trouble getting along with other inmates, according to the Journal.
“I’m 65 years old, and my daughter still comes after me. She doesn’t want me to improve, she just wants me to die!” he kept saying to authorities, the Journal wrote.
After his daughter and ex-wife contacted him in prison, Yuan stopped resisting and began cooperating with prison authorities, according to the Journal.
The story of Yuan’s kidnapping has been widely shared on social media by police departments, a municipal court, and public prosecutor’s offices throughout China.
Major Chinese news outlets such as The Paper have also reported on the story. Many people on Douyin and Weibo expressed shock and dismay at Yuan’s behavior.
It is clear from the information provided that Yuan’s actions were illegal, morally reprehensible, and had severe consequences for both himself and his family. Kidnapping a child for ransom to fuel a gambling addiction is a serious crime, and it is good to see that he was caught and brought to justice.
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It is also important to note that gambling addiction is a serious problem that can have devastating effects on individuals and their families, and it is essential to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with it.
