PHUKET: Three teenagers are under arrest and their wealthy boss is being hunted after a victim blew the whistle on a plan to hold stolen motorcycles for ransom.

Sasiphapa Sukang, 18, rented a motorcycle in Patong and then loaned it to someone she had just met to go out to buy food.

When she couldn't contact her new ''friend'' she started to wonder what was happening. Then she got a call from a young man asking for a 1500 baht ransom to return the motorcycle.

She called the man who rented the motorcycle and he took the spare key and found the motorcycle outside a Family Mart in Karon with flat tyres.

A threatening call was made to Khun Sasiphapa from the young man who said: 'You told the police! We will catch up with you.''

She explained that the man was the motorcycle renter. When the teenager called again, seeking 1500 baht, Khun Sasiphapa contacted police.

Officers pounced in a sting at the Galaxy Bar in southern Patong, arresting two 16-year-old youths, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

The pair told police their boss was a ''Khun Bum.''

When officers raided Khun Bum's apartment, they found an 18-year-old woman, who was arrested as Khun Bum fled through a window.

He left behind a bank book containing 800,000 baht in deposits and some ya ice methamphetamine and drug-taking equipment.

Police believe the motorcycle extortion scam may be more common that first believed because of the size of Khun Bum's bank account.