Three Canadians were directly involved in the kidnapping of two American journalists by extremist militants in Syria, Canada’s public broadcaster reported Wednesday.

Three Canadians were directly involved in the kidnapping of two American journalists by extremist militants in Syria, Canada's public broadcaster reported Wednesday.

Citing unnamed sources, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation said the trio -- whose identities are unknown -- forced captives Theo Curtis and Matt Schrier to reveal their computer passwords, then drained their bank accounts and racked up credit card bills.

They also wrote to the two journalists' families pretending to be the men, the CBC said. The Canadian government said it is investigating.

Curtis and Schrier were held in captivity together between 2012 and 2013. Curtis was released by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front last month while Schrier escaped last year.

Ottawa has said as many as 130 Canadians are fighting overseas with extremist groups. Some estimates put the figure much higher.