KUCHING, Nov 4 – The family of 26-year-old Vanessa Wong, missing since May, is pleading with the public for any information that could help bring her home. Vanessa, last believed to be in Thailand, has been out of contact with her family for months, leaving them in a state of anxiety and distress.
According to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Public Complaint Bureau (PBC) chief Milton Foo, Vanessa’s brother reported that she traveled to Thailand in early May. Shortly after, all communication with her was lost. The family promptly filed a missing person report with the authorities and took to social media in a desperate attempt to reach anyone who may have seen or heard from her.
However, two weeks after her disappearance was shared online, on June 4, the family received an alarming message via WhatsApp from an unknown individual. The message claimed that Vanessa was being held captive, showing her passport photo as proof, and demanded RM10,000 for her release. The sender further threatened that if the family failed to pay, they would “sell” Vanessa to Cambodia.
Despite the gravity of the threats, the family refrained from making any payments due to concerns about the legitimacy of the message. Since then, communication with the alleged captor has ceased, leaving the family with no way to confirm Vanessa’s situation.
At a press conference held today at Milton & Co. office in Tabuan Stutong, Foo shared that Vanessa’s case has now been escalated to the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters. “This incident resembles other cases where individuals have gone missing while traveling abroad,” Foo explained, highlighting the concerning trend and the need for careful investigation.
The family, along with the SUPP PBC, is urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the search for Vanessa. Authorities are continuing their efforts, while family members remain hopeful for her safe return.
As concerns mount, the case sheds light on the vulnerability of travelers and the dangers that can arise abroad. The family’s plea serves as a stark reminder to Malaysians about safety while traveling and the importance of staying connected with loved ones.