Wongo
13th August 2007, 04:48 PM
Most of us think with our head but some people just do it with their bottom.
A 56-YEAR-OLD Australian who went to West Africa on the promise of gold and romance has been rescued from kidnappers and is on his way home.
Love-struck South Australian Desmond Gregor was conned by an internet scam that took him to Bamako, the capital of Mali, on July 27.
When he arrived three machete-wielding gangsters whisked him away, stripped him of his cash and threatened his life. He was held for 12 days.
It was there he discovered the woman of his dreams did not exist and his captors were demanding a ransom of $100,000.
The Australian Federal Police said yesterday that a team of about 70 police negotiated the man's release by email and telephone.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Tim Morris said Mr Gregor was rescued in a daring operation.
The rescue involved convincing the kidnappers to let Mr Gregor visit the Canadian Embassy in Bamako to get the ransom, which by that stage had dropped to one or two thousand dollars.
Australia's diplomatic interests in Mali are conducted by the Canadian Embassy.
"He's in good health, all things considered, and certainly well enough to travel back to Australia," Mr Morris said.
A 56-YEAR-OLD Australian who went to West Africa on the promise of gold and romance has been rescued from kidnappers and is on his way home.
Love-struck South Australian Desmond Gregor was conned by an internet scam that took him to Bamako, the capital of Mali, on July 27.
When he arrived three machete-wielding gangsters whisked him away, stripped him of his cash and threatened his life. He was held for 12 days.
It was there he discovered the woman of his dreams did not exist and his captors were demanding a ransom of $100,000.
The Australian Federal Police said yesterday that a team of about 70 police negotiated the man's release by email and telephone.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Tim Morris said Mr Gregor was rescued in a daring operation.
The rescue involved convincing the kidnappers to let Mr Gregor visit the Canadian Embassy in Bamako to get the ransom, which by that stage had dropped to one or two thousand dollars.
Australia's diplomatic interests in Mali are conducted by the Canadian Embassy.
"He's in good health, all things considered, and certainly well enough to travel back to Australia," Mr Morris said.