A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student was found alone and cold in a tent in Utah after falling victim to a “cyber-kidnapping.” Kai Zhuang had been reported missing by his high school, and his parents in China received a ransom photo of him and sent $80,000 to bank accounts in China due to continuous threats from the kidnappers. Police located Zhuang in the mountains near Brigham City, and he had been directed there by his cyber-kidnappers to isolate himself. Zhuang was relieved to see the police and was found with limited food and water, a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, and several phones that were presumed to be used in the cyber-kidnapping.
The Brigham City Fire Department checked Zhuang for cold-related issues and cleared him of major medical concerns, giving him a cheeseburger which he had requested. Zhuang also requested to speak with his family to ensure they were safe, and the police helped him do so. Prior to his disappearance, Zhuang had been picked up by the police on December 20 while trying to camp, and they were concerned for his safety. Police discovered that Zhuang had been manipulated and controlled by the cyber kidnappers, but had not told anyone.
The FBI informed the Riverdale Police that other foreign exchange students, particularly Chinese, had been targeted in similar “cyber-kidnapping” scams in the US. The perpetrators threaten students, order them to isolate, monitor them through video calls, and demand ransom from their families. The FBI referred questions back to Riverdale police. This incident has shed light on the vulnerability of foreign exchange students and the need for increased vigilance and protection measures against such cyber-kidnapping scams.
