The man kidnapped in broad daylight in a leafy Nunspeet street last week had gangland connections, the Telegraaf said on Tuesday.

Neighbours had filmed Ronald Maurits being dragged into another car on Friday morning by three masked men. He was set free later that day and his wife told reporters it had been a case of mistaken identity.

However, the Telegraaf says the man had connections to controversial businessman Jan Jaap de B, who had several companies with Willem Endstra, the real estate magnate shot dead in an apparent gangland hit in 2004.

Maurits’ Mercedes car was found abandoned near the A28 motorway in Putten on Monday.

Police have not yet commented on the Telegraaf’s claims. Maurits has been questioned about the kidnapping and the investigation is continuing.