FBI searching for kidnapped Chinese man

LOS ANGELES - The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 on Monday for information about the whereabouts of a Chinese businessman who was kidnapped in the Los Angeles area last month.

According to information on the FBI's official website, the victim is 28-year-old Ruochen "Tony" Liao, who was born in Southwest China's Sichuan province. He owns a Southern California car dealership that sold high-end cars, such as Porsches and Bentleys.

"On July 16, 2018, at approximately 7:30 pm, Ruochen 'Tony' Liao was kidnapped in San Gabriel, California, by three men. He was last seen entering a dark-colored minivan in San Gabriel with a man later identified as 'David'," the FBI said. "'David' is described as a Chinese male, 35 to 40 years old, approximately 6 feet tall (1.83 meters), who speaks Mandarin."

Besides the $25,000 award, the FBI also posted a forensic sketch of "David".

Local ABC 7 news channel said images captured by surveillance cameras showed a Toyota minivan and a Range Rover SUV driven by the alleged abductors.

The suspects are demanding $2 million from Liao's family for his return. ABC 7 reported that the family did not pay the money but is offering a $150,000 reward for information leading to his return.

FBI agent Gene Kowell told ABC 7: "Our hope is that Tony is still alive. We're operating under the premise that he is still alive, which is why this reward and the publicity is so crucial to this case. However, ... as these cases progress, the chances of someone remaining alive can diminish."

Investigators are examining several theories in the case, including the possibility that Liao was involved in a business dispute and had previously been involved in business deals with people who "were not the most reputable", Kowell said.

An official of the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles said on Monday evening that the consulate is following the case and keeping close contact with the US authorities and the victim's relatives.

"We have provided necessary help to his family," the official said. "We hope US authorities will continue working for his recovery and conclude the case as soon as possible."

Xinhua - Ap - Afp

(China Daily 08/22/2018 page12)