Indian student goes missing in US, family seeks govt's help after getting ransom call

Family members of a 25-year-old Indian student hailing from Telangana's Hyderabadurged the External Affairs Ministry to find their son after he reportedly went missing from the Cleveland area of the United States and a ransom call was made to them.

Mohammed Abdul Arafat, originally from Nacharam, embarked on his educational journey to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Master's degree in IT from Cleveland University.

While residing in Cleveland, Abdul maintained contact with his family until abruptly ceasing communication on March 7, with his phone subsequently being switched off.

His father Mohd Saleem stated that almost ten days after his son went missing, the family received a phone call where the callers alleged that Abdul was abducted and demanded a ransom of USD 1,200 for his release.

"My son went to the US on May 23 for his master's. He was doing fine and was talking to me every day. After March 7, we didn't talk. We tried calling, but the phone was off. Later, we called our brother and asked him to see. As my son was not at the location, they went and filed a missing complaint. After 10 days, we got a call on WhatsApp, that your son was kidnapped and asked for a USD 1200 ransom. I urge the state government and central government to find my son," Saleem said.

Abdul's uncle, who also resides in the United States, filed a missing person complaint with the police, according to news agency ANI.

Saleem went to Nacharam police station on Thursday (Mar 21) and briefed police about the incident urging assistance in the matter. He also called on the state and central government to help the family find their son.

In his letter to the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, Saleem requested help from the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC,and the Indian Consulate in Chicago,to help locate the whereabouts of his son.

(With inputs from agencies)