A Chinese estate agent was found bound in tape in the back of a Mercedes car after allegedly being robbed by a fellow countryman in Thailand.

Wendy Wang, 35, was reportedly held at knifepoint by Gong Gaopeng, 30, who lured her to a fake house viewing in Chonburi province on January 11.

Gong was said to have posed as a prospective buyer before pointing a pair of scissors at Wendy's waist when they arrived at the housing estate.

He reportedly wrapped a terrified Wendy in brown packing tape and took her phone, forcing her to wire 6,996 yuan (744 GBP) to his account.

But his plans to escape undetected were foiled when volunteer civil defence officer Champee, 59, noticed the car's 'suspicious' behaviour as its brake lights rapidly flashed while driving down the road.

The Thai woman called for backup before knocking on the car, from which a muffled crying noise was heard. When they demanded that the doors be opened, the car reportedly sped in reverse and crashed into a concrete fence.

Gong allegedly bolted into the darkness as shocked officers discovered Wendy in the passenger's seat, her body and eyes bound in adhesive tape.

The terrified real estate agent broke down in tears as she was freed, hugging her rescuers in gratitude.

Police said they have confirmed Gong, from China's Shandong province, as the suspect.

A spokesman for the Nong Prue district station said: 'Police are reviewing CCTV footage from various locations believed to have been used as an escape route to apprehend the perpetrator and bring him to justice.'

Volunteer Champee, who found the alleged victim, added: 'I was riding back home from work when I noticed a Mercedes-Benz parked in the forest beside the road. Its taillights were flashing rapidly, like someone was repeatedly braking. It felt suspicious, so I stopped and watched from a distance.

'I kept observing but saw no movement, until I heard faint cries coming from inside the car. I was alone and afraid for my safety, so I called a municipal officer friend for help.

'When we approached and ordered the driver out, he suddenly reversed and crashed into a village wall around 100 metres away. We ran to the car and found a Chinese woman tied up and lying face down in the back seat. The suspect had already fled.'

(1 GBP = 9.40 CNY)