Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Chinese Teen in the U.S. Falls Victim to ‘Cyber Kidnapping’ Scam

wikitree Views  

A Chinese teenager studying in the United States fell victim to a new type of fraud known as “cyber kidnapping.”

Suspected to be of Chinese origin, the fraud group resorted to threats against the victim, akin to a kidnapping scenario. They warned him that harm would befall his family if he failed to comply with their demands. In a deceptive ploy, they demanded money from the victim’s family, asserting that they had abducted their child.

A Chinese teenager studying in the United States fell victim to a new type of fraud known as ‘cyber kidnapping.’ / YouTube ‘SBS News’

AFP and other outlets reported on 2nd (local time) the recent case of “cyber kidnapping” involving Kai Zhang (17), a Chinese student studying at a high school in Riverdale, Utah.

According to the report, Zhang’s parents, who live in China, recently received a threatening call from an unknown person demanding a ransom for their son and eventually deposited $80,000 into a Chinese bank account.

Despite paying the ransom, the parents, who had not heard from the scammers, reported their son missing to the local police on the 28th of last month.

Analyzing Zhang’s bank records and call history, the police found him at a temporary campsite about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city center after three days.

When found, Zhang was extremely cold and terrified. The tent contained limited food and water, thermal blankets, a sleeping bag, and several cell phones suspected to have been used in the cyber kidnapping.

Investigations revealed that Zhang had followed the scammers’ instructions after receiving threats that they would harm his family if he did not comply.

Zhang climbed the mountain as directed by the scammers, cut off contact with acquaintances, and lived in the tent. During this process, he reported his status to the scammers via video call using another cell phone.

Also, Zhang took photos pretending to be a hostage and sent them to the scammers. The scammers used the images sent by Zhang to demand a ransom from his parents.

The police have warned that cyber kidnappings targeting international students in the United States are on the rise.

By. Jeong Hun Bang

wikitree
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[SOCIETY] Latest Stories

  • Why These Twins Want to Share a Boyfriend—And They’re Totally OK With It
  • How 8 COVID Infections Changed Everything for This Young Woman—Including Her Hair
  • Thai Man Arrested After 20 Years of Illegal Penis Enlargement Procedures
  • 23-Year-Old Woman Ignored Symptoms for a Year, Later Diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Wife’s Affair Exposed After Vasectomy: Husband Fights for Custody and Assets
  • 77-Year-Old Man Fathers Child with 33-Year-Old Assistant, Family Outraged

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 2
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

  • 3
    THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 2
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

  • 3
    THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Share it on...