$1m ransom demanded for kidnapped woman

Qing Zhao was kidnapped this morning.

A woman was snatched from her east Auckland home early today by three armed men who said they would kill her unless $1 million in ransom was paid.

Three men broke into the Howick house soon after 2am, tied up an elderly couple and took off with their daughter, 42-year-old Qing Zhao, also known as Kelly Zhao.

As they drove up her drive in her Mini Cooper car they were met by the victim's husband who had arrived home and locked the security gates behind him.

The victim's husband was threatened by the gunmen before he backed up the drive at speed, smashing through the security gates he had just closed.

The Mini Cooper was found 60 metres down the road but there was no sign of the three kidnappers or the woman.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone said police were very concerned for her welfare particularly after the threat by the kidnappers to kill her if the ransom money was not paid.

He said the kidnappers, who were described as Asian, demanded $500,000 by noon today and a further $500,000 by midday tomorrow.

No money has been paid and police have no idea on the identity of the three kidnappers.

Mr Grimstone said the kidnap was well planned and followed an abortive attempt by the three armed men to find cash and jewellery back at the Howick house.

He said the family was obviously very wealthy but it was difficult to say if the woman was kidnapped because the three kidnappers had found no money or jewellery when they first broke into the home.

The first kidnapper was armed with a knife and as he broke into the house through a bathroom window he was challenged by the elderly man. In a struggle the elderly man was slightly hurt. Mr Grimstone said the threat to kill the kidnap victim was being taken very seriously.

"She is still out there and we have grave concerns for her safety and wellbeing.

"We are appealing to the kidnappers to release her unharmed and to the public for sightings of her."

He said the threat to kill the victim was made by the three men before they drove off with her in her car.

The three men were not recognised by the elderly man in the house and police did not know their identity.

He said it was quite clear from the house that the family was quite wealthy.

"It's quite a lavish home and it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to work out they had a few quid," Mr Grimstone said.

The victim and her husband lived in the house and were being visited by the victim's parents, both in their early 70s.

The victim's husband had no business interests in New Zealand and had made his money in telecommunications companies based out of China, Mr Grimstone said.

Police said it was possible the victim was kidnapped when the three men failed to find any cash and jewellery in the house.

There was no indication about how the money was to be paid other than in two instalments.

The victim's husband and her parents have been taken to a secret safe location.

The three men were thought to have been between 20 and 35. Two of the men were about 1.7m high, one of them solidly built with short black hair and about 27. The second was balding and wore a blue two-tone shirt.

There was no description of the third man.

Police have urged anyone with information to call the police hotline 0800 KIDNAP (0800 543 627).

- NZPA