Missing Chinese exchange student found in Utah after ‘cyber kidnapping’

A missing Chinese exchange student was found safe after a “cyber kidnapping,” Utah police said.

According to the Riverdale Police Department, Kai Zhuang, 17, was reported missing Thursday. The suspected kidnappers had sent a photograph of him to his parents in China who sent $80,000 in ransom to bank accounts in that country.

Police in the U.S. became involved after the teen’s parents contacted his Utah high school last week. He was found camping in the mountains outside Brigham City on Sunday. He was described as “alive but very cold and scared.”

He told police he had been told by the “kidnappers” to isolate himself. He was being “manipulated and controlled by the cyber kidnappers” for more than a week, but hadn’t told the police or his host family.

“Due to the cold weather in Utah at this time of year, we became additionally concerned for the victim’s safety in that he may freeze to death overnight,” police said.

“The victim only wanted to speak to his family to ensure they were safe and requested a warm cheeseburger, both of which were accomplished on the way back to Riverdale PD,” police said about Sunday’s rescue.

Cyber kidnapping, also known as virtual kidnapping, is a decades-old scam that is becoming more prevalent, according to the FBI.

While victims are monitored by video calls, they also send photographs to the crooks who then pretend to have snatched the frightened parents’ kid. The victims often go along (or pay up) because they fear their parents (or child) will be harmed. In many cases, the ransom ends up being paid without anyone getting kidnapped or put in danger. Exchange students, particularly ones from China, have increasingly been targeted by fraudsters.

Earlier in December, the teen was picked up by police officers in Provo while trying to isolate in compliance with the scammers’ demands. He was returned to his host family at the time.

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