London, England-based travel agents Juan Cifuentes and Farooq Abdulrazak, both reported missing by their families, are feared to be the victims found in a burned-out car in Malmö, Sweden. Firefighters discovered the scene after responding to a fire on a dirt road in the Fosie industrial estate on Sunday, July 14, 2024.
According to their families, Cifuentes, 33, and Abdulrazak, 37, were on a business trip to Denmark and Sweden. They were last seen driving a Toyota RAV4 rental car, which has since been confirmed as the same vehicle found ablaze. The Metropolitan Police are investigating whether the bodies are those of the missing travel agents.
The bodies were discovered in a Danish-registered car, which had been rented at Copenhagen Kastrup airport before the two men drove across the Oresund Bridge into Sweden. CCTV footage from the rental office and the bridge shows the two men in the car, but reports suggest a third individual may have been involved. The Swedish media reported that CCTV footage suggested three people were inside the car when it crossed the bridge into Sweden.
Rickard Lundqvist, spokesperson for the Swedish police, stated that the investigation is ongoing and that they are working with international police forces, including the UK’s Metropolitan Police. “The identities of the two individuals discovered in a burned-out car on Sunday afternoon remain unknown. The bodies are currently undergoing forensic examination,” Lundqvist said.
Authorities have not yet identified any suspects in the case. Lundqvist confirmed, “There is an investigation, but there is no suspect at present.” The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of gang violence in Malmö, a city that has struggled with gang-related crimes for years.
The incident is being treated as a double murder, with reports indicating that the victims were shot before the car was set on fire. However, the families have not received confirmation of these details. “All we know now is that Juan and Farooq were due to return on Sunday, but they didn’t come home, and nobody has seen them for a few days,” added the relative.
Empire Holidays, the travel agency co-owned by Cifuentes and Abdulrazak, posted on Instagram, “It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that the owner of Empire Holidays [Farooq] has sadly passed away.”
Former football club Welwyn Garden City FC paid tribute to Cifuentes, who used to play for the club. “Juan was part of our double-winning squad in 2014-15: an outstanding player and great person. We send our condolences to all his family, friends, and ex-teammates. RIP Juan,” the club posted on social media.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said, “We are supporting the families of two British men reported missing in Sweden and are in touch with the local authorities.”