THE brother of a Penge man missing in Ukraine claims he and his family have no money left to pay the “mafia” who kidnapped his younger sibling.

Baron Gates says he has not heard from his brother Eren Parker since he went missing last Tuesday (April 7).

He claims a gang in the eastern European country is holding his brother against his will, demanding cash for his release.

The 28-year-old said: “We have been told that a mafia gang will finish him off if we don’t pay.

“We didn’t want to risk his life so we paid, but now they want more.

“We haven’t heard his voice so for all we know he could already be dead.”

Mr Gates claims his father and sister are currently in Ukraine trying to find his 25-year-old brother, having already paying $5,000 to try and secure his release.

He says Mr Parker, of Cornish Grove, Penge, went missing after spending the night gambling in the city of Odessa.

The Croydon resident said: “He spent the night in the casino but after that no-one knows what happened to him. There are no witnesses.

“My sister then got a call from a translator saying he had been taken.

“I have no idea why this gang have kidnapped him. He was just on a two week holiday with friends.”

Missing British national

The Foreign Office has confirmed a British man is missing in Ukraine.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm a British national has gone missing in Odessa, Ukraine.

“He was reported missing on April 9."

She said Ukrainian authorities were investigating the case, adding: “Our consular staff are in regular contact with the British National’s family.”

Mr Gates says the Ukraine police have been of little help in the investigation and he wants to see his brother returned safely.

“The whole family is so upset by what has happened,” he said.

"We will do whatever it takes to get him home safely but we have no money left to pay.”