The kidnappers held her captive for nearly three weeks, demanding up to $1 million before accepting about $200,000 (approximately UGX 700 million). During her captivity, they cut off two of her fingers and sent them alongside a video of her pleading for help to pressure her family into paying the ransom.

As part of the operation, FBI agents were deployed to Thailand, where they worked with partners to analyze evidence collected from the seized Shunda compound in Burma. Investigators reviewed more than 8,000 mobile phones and 1,500 computers, revealing a structured chain of command. The findings led to charges against two alleged managers, Huang Xingshan and Jiang Wen Jie, who remain in Thai custody on immigration-related offenses.