A Trinidadian man has been charged after police alleged that a kidnapping report which triggered an extensive investigation was fabricated.

Daoud Mohammed, 30, of Charlieville, Chaguanas, was charged with wasteful employment of the police following an investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service‘s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to police, the case began in May 2025 when a man living in the United States received a WhatsApp call claiming that his brother had been kidnapped in Trinidad and Tobago and was being held captive.

The caller reportedly demanded a ransom of TT$60,000 (USD$8,853), along with drugs and firearms, in exchange for the man’s release.

The report prompted an extensive investigation involving specialist officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, who treated the matter as a genuine kidnapping.

However, investigators later concluded that Mohammed had not been abducted. Police said enquiries revealed that he had instead been staying at a friend’s home in the southern community of Philippine, Palmiste.

Following further investigations and legal advice, officers obtained a warrant and arrested Mohammed during an operation in Charlieville on June 4.