17yearold is rescued by police after a cyber kidnapping scam that extorted $80,000
From the editorial team
Last Sunday, police in Riverdale, Utah, announced the successful rescue of 17yearold Chinese student Kai Zhuang, the victim of an elaborate “cyber kidnapping” scam. The teenager, an exchange student in the United States, was found in a camping tent in a forest about 25 miles north of Riverdale, “cold and scared,” according to authorities.
The episode began Thursday when Kai's family in China reported to authorities at Riverdale High School that the young man was missing and they suspected a virtual kidnapping. Following the typical cyber kidnapping pattern, the criminals had demanded a ransom of $80,000 and threatened to harm the family if it was not paid.
The modus operandi of these scams is to manipulate the victim into isolating themselves and providing images of themselves that simulate captivity. These photos are then used to extort money from their family members. Unfortunately, Kai's family deposited the required amount into the bank accounts specified by the criminals.
After an intensive investigation, local authorities were able to locate Kai in a remote area near Brigham City. “Because it is so cold in Utah this time of year, we were even more concerned for the victim's safety as he could freeze to death at night,” Riverdale police said in a statement.
The teenager was housed in a camping tent with no heat sources and only had a thermal blanket, a sleeping bag, few food supplies and several phones that were allegedly used in the cyber kidnapping.
Police are warning of the increasing frequency of these scams, particularly targeting foreign exchange students, with a particular focus on Chinese students. It is crucial that the community is aware of these cyber threats and takes preventive measures to avoid falling into similar traps.