Claim of $1 million ransom after Sydney man allegedly kidnapped on the street

Monday, 3 November 2025 09:31

The man was allegedly held captive for four days as his family received ransom demands and police raced to find him.

Shocking CCTV has emerged of the moment a man was allegedly abducted and held for ransom on a suburban street in Sydney's south-west.

The footage shows a white SUV pulling up before three people get out of the car.

The trio physically apprehended 28-year-old George Ayoub, who was on his way to the gym and bundled him into the car.

Ayoub, the brother of a prominent property developer, was then allegedly held captive for four days.

9News initially became aware of the incident on Thursday last week, but complied with a police request not to broadcast it due to operational reasons.

In the four days of the man's captivity, police established a strike force to investigate the incident and determine his location.

It's also been alleged that the victim's family received ransom demands.

A family friend and social media personality known online as Triggs had posted videos calling for Ayoub's release, and he posted another one at about 3.30am today, confirming he had been freed.

"$1 million was put up as of an hour ago," he said.

"We finally secured his freedom, and the look on George's face when he saw us was priceless. And also the tears that came from his family's face when we walked him into the house was priceless."

It's believed Ayoub contacted his family at about 2am from a service station in Chipping Norton.

9News understands Ayoub has no criminal record and is not known to police.

The three suspects seen on the CCTV footage remain on the run, and the police investigation is ongoing.

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