Chinese exchange student found in Utah wilderness after ‘cyber kidnapping’ scam
- Kai Zhuang, age 17, was found in a tent after he was reported missing last Thursday
- ‘Cyber kidnapping’ scheme extorted US$80,000 from the student’s family in China
A Chinese exchange student who fell victim to a “cyber kidnapping” scam in which his parents were extorted for US$80,000, was found alive but “cold and scared” in a tent in the Utah wilderness, police said.
Kai Zhuang, age 17, was reported missing on Thursday after his parents in China told officials at his host high school in Riverdale, Utah that he appeared to have been kidnapped and a ransom had been requested.
The case followed a typical pattern for cyber kidnapping, in which “kidnappers” tell a victim to isolate and provide pictures of oneself as if being held captive – photos that are then sent to the victim’s family to extort a payment.
The victims comply under the belief their family will otherwise be harmed.
After analysing bank records, purchases and phone ping records in a days-long search, police became convinced he was isolating in a tent some 40km (25 miles) north in a large area near Brigham City.
“Due to the cold weather in Utah this time of year, we became additionally concerned for the victim’s safety in that he may freeze to death overnight,” the Riverdale Police Department said in a press release after he was found Sunday.