JOHOR BARU: A businesswoman was left bruised and traumatised after a client attempted to abduct her at a commercial area here on Christmas Eve.
The woman, who wanted to be known only as Won, 34, said the man had stalked her and waited outside a facial spa centre for two hours before trying to drag her into his car.
“After I left the spa, he grabbed my wrists tightly and shouted profanities. He tried to drag me into his car, and I fell to the ground while trying to break free from his clutches.
“He tried to stop me from running by kicking me. It was a terrifying experience as many people just stood by without helping me.
“After what felt like about 15 minutes, a beautician from the spa ran out and tried to help before someone called the police,” she told a press conference here yesterday.
The incident left her with scraped knees, elbows and bruises on parts of her body, she said, adding that she sought treatment at Hospital Sultanah Aminah here.Won said this was the first time she had met the man face to face, although she first got to know him online two years ago while working at a digital marketing company.
“When I started my own digital marketing business this year, the man said he wanted to support me by engaging my services to promote his bird’s nest products.
“All forms of communication and payments were made solely online all this while,” she added.
Won said that in September, the man lent her a smartphone to promote his business on social media app Xiaohongshu, which allows one phone number to register for only one account.
She said she had assured him that the phone would only be used to promote his business and that it would be returned to him when the job was done.
“He then started sending me inappropriate messages and even proclaimed his love for me.
“It made me uncomfortable, so I chose to ignore them; he then started insulting me.
“I believe he also tracked the phone and showed up at my house at around 3am on Oct 29.
“I told him I would give him back the phone once he stops harassing me, and he left after that,” added Won.
But she said the man then continued sending her flowers and gifts.
“I am very worried about my safety and I do not dare to go anywhere alone,” she said, adding that she lives with her 59-year-old mother.
Won said she lodged two police reports on Nov 1 and Dec 24 at the Setia Indah police station.
Johor Bersatu’s associate wing public complaints bureau chief Lim Thow Siang, who organised the press conference, said he would assist Won by following up with the police on the progress of the case.
He also urged victims of harassment or scams to voice out about the matter.
Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat verified that two police reports were made, adding that investigations are ongoing.
