The FBI says a Chinese man was kidnapped after a business meeting in the Los Angeles-area last month, but authorities haven't heard from the kidnappers since they demanded a USD 2 million ransom.
He owned a Southern California car dealership that sold high-end cars, such as Porches and Bentleys.
Gene Kowel, an assistant special agent in charge at the FBI's office in Los Angeles, said investigators are examining several theories, including that Liao was involved in a business dispute.
He said Liao had been involved with business deals with individuals who "were not the most reputable".
Yesterday the FBI released a sketch of one of the men they believed was involved in the kidnapping.
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