Ashes for ransom: the bizarre rise of urn thefts in Malaysia

Malaysian police are on a hunt for thieves who stole 30 urns from a funeral home in the southern state of Negeri Sembilan, in a bizarre case with possible links to a cross-border criminal group holding the ashes of deceased for ransom.

The Xiao En memorial park reported the incident in late February, when it discovered that at least 15 urns had gone missing from a columbarium. Police later revised the figure to 30.

The cemetery groundsmen received a WhatsApp call from a foreign-registered number demanding a ransom for the return of the urns.

“Since this case involves elements of cross-border communication and the use of digital technology, we are seeking technical help from the relevant agencies,” Nilai district police chief Johari Yahya was quoted as saying by local English daily The Star on Wednesday.

Police did not say how much the thieves had demanded or if they had given a deadline to respond.

Johari said the case was being investigated for theft, extortion and trespassing on burial grounds, with the first two offences carrying penalties of up to 10 years in jail, a fine or both.

Xiao En said it had begun reviewing security measures at the park following the incident and helped the families affected by the theft lodge police reports and provided continued support to them.