So.. they tried to be sneaky, yet they are connected to the guy via those two acquaintances? They even tried to get ransom? Too bad this is in the UK, chances of them getting shot during arrest are sadly low. Society is better off without such people.
Well that wasn't very nice of them.
Milli Vanilli, Bigger than Elvis
The stripped bit is just to increase the terror the victim is suffering in his head ... i think.
But i live in Thornton Heath and i can assure you this sort of thing doesn't happen more than once or twice a month.