US: Indian Student, 25, Goes Missing in Ohio; Parents In Hyderabad Appeal for Help After Ransom Call

The parents of an Indian student studying in the US state of Ohio received a ransom call last week demanding nearly a lakh rupees. The caller claimed to have kidnapped 25-year-old Abdul Mohammed Arfath and threatened to sell his kidney if the ransom wasn’t paid.

Arfath’s issue was brought to light by Telangana-based Majlis Bachao Tahreek spokesperson, who posted copies of the missing student’s passport and the letter that his family wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Arfath was pursuing a master’s degree in IT at Cleveland University in Ohio and has been out of contact with his family since March 7. His last known location was a Walmart store in the city where he went missing.

Last week, Arfath’s father received a call from an unknown number, claiming to have abducted his son. The caller demanded $1200 from Mohammed Saleem for his son’s release but did not specify the payment method, according to media reports.

“He [Mr. Arfath] is my only son. He said he was missing us and his friends and wanted to come home. I told him that he could do so during his vacations, and if needed, I would send him the airfare. The last time I spoke to him was on March 7, but that was only for a few seconds. He called his friend the next day and spoke to him. I am told that a detective [a police officer] is handling the case,” Saleem was quoted as saying by The Hindu newspaper.

Concerned for their son’s safety, Arfath’s parents informed their relatives in the US, who promptly filed a missing complaint with Cleveland police. US authorities described Arfath as last seen wearing a white T-shirt, red jacket, and blue jeans. As the family awaits information about their son’s safe return, they have also reached out to the Indian Council in Chicago for help.

This case comes on the heels of another tragic incident involving an Indian student in the US. The body of 20-year-old engineering student Abhijeeth Paruchuru was discovered in a car in a forest in Boston. While initial investigations suggested no foul play, this marks the ninth such incident in less than three months.