![A NSW Police officer (main image) and items seized from the crime scene in Eastwood after the 36-year-old woman was found. Picture supplied/Adam McLean A NSW Police officer (main image) and items seized from the crime scene in Eastwood after the 36-year-old woman was found. Picture supplied/Adam McLean](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/194363481/8c815851-23d4-4a5c-bcc0-25493450e58d.png/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A woman was allegedly kidnapped by a group of unknown men, drugged and sexually assaulted before her abductors attempted to extort money using images taken during the attack.
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NSW Police have charged a man believed to be behind the attack after another man, 29-year-old Yanyu Mu, was charged in June following his extradition from Victoria.
Kidnapping and sexual assault
Investigators allege the victim was forced into a Toyota Camry by the men in Epping, Sydney at 6.45pm on April 20, 2024.
The 36-year-old woman was found by detectives at a home in Eastwood, in Sydney's west, at 1pm on April 21 and taken to hospital.
![Yanyu Mu, 29, arrested in June and extradited to Victoria. Picture NSW Police Yanyu Mu, 29, arrested in June and extradited to Victoria. Picture NSW Police](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/194363481/d94649d2-a2af-4495-8795-0cfbf1c0d969.png/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
She told detectives that she had been injected with a drug and sexually assaulted.
The men also blindfolded, bound and gagged her during the "serious" and "violent" attack, police said.
The attackers took photos during the assault and threatened to release the images publicly unless the victim paid a $300,000 ransom, police will allege in court.
Charges laid
Investigators arrested a 37-year-old man at Silverwater Correctional Complex on July 15.
He was charged with taking or detaining in company with intent to ransom occasioning aggravated bodily harm, assaulting a person intending criminal activity of criminal group, aggravated sexual assault in company and deprivation of liberty.
He was also charged with using an intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence, intentionally recording intimate images without consent and threatening to distribute intimate image without consent.
The 37-year-old was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on July 16.
Mr Mu's case is also progressing through the courts.
Investigations continue as police search for others suspected of being involved in the kidnapping and assault.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
Support is available for those who may be distressed:
- Phone Lifeline 13 11 14
- Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491
- 13 Yarn 13 92 76
- beyondblue 1300 224 636
- 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732