Police believe a COVID-19 vaccination certificate scam is behind a "targeted" daylight kidnapping and stabbing in Sydney.
Police have released CCTV and mobile phone footage, as they hunt five men over the incident which happened in Merrylands in September.
The vision shows a 24-year-old man being physically assaulted, as he's forced into a van.
"We believe this incident is a targeted attack and may relate to a fake vaccination certificate scam and related debts," Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis said.
"We believe this particular scam is isolated to this person involved in this incident."
Police allege the man was held hostage at an address at Auburn and was further assaulted for "up to three hours and stabbed in the shoulder".
A member of the public found him at nearby Birrong.
He was taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment before being released.
"This is a brazen, brutal attack in a suburban street in broad daylight. This type of behaviour will not be tolerated," Detective Superintendent Koutsoufis said.
"There's people walking in the street. They obviously didn't care too much about who was around at the time."
Police have also called for another man to come forward, who they believe to be an associate of the victim.
"The driver of the black Toyota ... seen reversing out of the street at speed being chased by one of the offenders, smashing into a boat parked ... before speeding away," Detective Superintendent Koutsoufis said.
"I believe it was a pre-arranged meeting ... with those involved in the incident."
