THE sinister classified advertisement placed in a Chinese community newspaper by a Sydney businessman asked only for “debt collectors”.

But what Zhi Ming Jiao was allegedly looking to hire was an assistant for an elaborate plan to kidnap a six-year-old girl, drug her and keep in her in a box while they negotiated an $800,000 ransom.

NSW Police were alerted to the plot two weeks ago by the advertisement in the Australian Chinese Daily, a court heard yesterday.

Two men were later caught in secretly taped conversations planning to abduct the girl, the daughter of a wealthy Chinese couple from Sydney’s north.

Police proceeded to tape telephone conversations between Mr Zhi, a 46-year-old Chinese-born owner of a Sydney-based textile exporting business and a 45-year-old man, from Ashfield in Sydney’s inner- west, who responded to the ad.

Police also recorded several meetings the pair conducted at a hotel in Sydenham during which they allegedly put together details of the plot.

The men were arrested during early morning raids in Ashfield. Both were charged with the offence of “conspiracy to kidnap in company”, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Mr Zhi was refused bail after prosecutor Kath Crumblin argued he was a significant flight risk and “may have access to falsified immigration documents”. Ms Crumblin said Mr Zhi also had access to “substantial funds”.

“As a result of the inquiries police have made they have found out that the defendant does hold a platinum membership at Star City casino, which you can only have if there is abundant financial resources,” she told the court.

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Cotter said it was alleged the kidnappers planned to abduct the girl, drug her, place her in a box and demand an $800,000 ransom.

The family went into hiding when the police informed them of the alleged plot. One of the men involved had been seen near the family home.

By law, names of the family and the child cannot be published. They are believed to be involved in the IT industry.

“The plot to kidnap a person and hold them for ransom is a serious and cruel crime,” Superintendent Cotter said.

“When the plan involves a child it is perhaps even more wicked.” The family issued a statement yesterday saying they were grateful to the police for their expert handling of the matter.

“The family is pleased that this unpleasant experience is now over,” they said. “We urge anyone within the Chinese community who has any information about this particular crime or any other crimes to speak out, come forward and contact police.” The police also urged the subjects of similar kidnap attempts to come forward. Superintendent Cotter said: “I would urge any member of the community, particularly the Chinese community, not to suffer this type of crime in silence.”