Roberta Williams, who is  the former wife of gangland figure Carl Williams, has been arrested in  Melbourne.

She was led from her house in handcuffs by police and told media to “f*** off”.

The authorities told  9News  that the arrest is part of an investigation into an alleged kidnapping incident that took place in Collingwood last month.

Ryan Nemenko, 36, told  7News  in July  that he was kidnapped and lured to a Collingwood apartment after agreeing to produce a reality program associated with the Williams family.

“I just thought I was dead, I thought this was it,” he told  7News.

“(Now) I just want to stay inside, I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to speak to anybody.”

He was bound, beaten and told to contact relatives to transfer money into accounts to secure his freedom.

Victoria Police issued a statement that confirmed five search warrants were executed on properties in Craigieburn, Greensborough and Strathmore as part of an ongoing investigation, according to  news.com.au.

“This investigation centres on allegations of false imprisonment and extortion with threats to kill,” a spokeswoman said.

“A 50-year-old Strathmore woman, two Greensborough men aged 24 and 27, and a 24-year-old Craigieburn man were arrested and are currently assisting police with their enquiries.”

Her husband, Carl Williams, was jailed for murder and drug trafficking – with his crime history  becoming publicly well-known in the Channel 9 TV  series,  Underbelly.