Rewritten Title: A Calculated Deception: Kidnapping Case Exposes a Serial Pretender
Article:
In a dramatic case that has captivated public attention, a 23-year-old woman’s ordeal has led to the arrest of a serial criminal, revealing a complex web of personal vendettas and deception.
The Ordeal Begins
The incident began one morning when the young woman left her home in northern Tehran to go to university. While waiting for a taxi, a Peugeot pulled over. Assuming it was a taxi, she got in. The driver, however, quickly changed route, locked the car doors, and brandished a large knife, threatening her. He then drove her to a parking garage in southwestern Tehran.
A Suspect Emerges
During her subsequent report to the police, the victim expressed suspicion that her kidnapper was a former suitor, a man named Masoud, whom she had previously rejected. Her intuition would prove to be a crucial lead for the investigators.
Twelve Hours of Captivity
The victim detailed how the assailant taped her mouth and took her to a first-floor apartment in the building. She was held captive for twelve hours, during which her gold jewelry was stolen. The kidnapper also forced her to surrender her bank card and PIN, subsequently draining her account. Under the cover of darkness, he then drove her to a street in western Tehran and released her.
The Investigation Unfolds
Police investigations quickly confirmed the victim’s suspicion: the kidnapper was indeed Masoud. In an attempt to conceal his identity, he had used theatrical makeup, a wig, and a mask, and remained silent throughout the ordeal to prevent the victim from recognizing his voice. However, the investigation uncovered much more.
A Criminal Past Revealed
Authorities discovered that Masoud was a career criminal with a history of arrests and prison sentences for burglary. Based on this information, he was swiftly apprehended. During interrogations, he confessed to kidnapping the victim and robbing her.
The Motive: A Twisted Revenge
The 30-year-old suspect cited two primary motives for his crime. The first was the victim’s rejection of his marriage proposal. The second, more complex reason, stemmed from his claim that she had herself robbed him.
Masoud explained that he had initially met the woman, whom he called “Afsaneh,” online. Posing as a wealthy civil engineer with family in America, and using rented luxury cars funded by previous thefts, he had gained the trust of her family. He claimed that jealous relatives, who were also involved in criminal activities, exposed his true identity to Afsaneh. In retaliation, he alleged that she visited his home, drugged his coffee, and stole gold and jewelry he had previously stolen from other burglaries.
“Obviously, it was hard for me to accept that a young girl had deceived me and stolen from me,” Masoud stated during his confession. This, he claimed, was his final motivation to meticulously disguise himself, kidnap her, and steal her possessions in return—a plan that ultimately led to his arrest.