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Cyberkidnapping

All articles tagged with #cyberkidnapping

crime-and-safety2 years ago

"FBI Alerts on Rising Cyber Kidnapping Scams and Self-Kidnapping Incidents"

The FBI is warning the public about an increase in online scams, including a case of "cyber kidnapping" involving a 17-year-old student in Utah. The student was manipulated into isolating himself and a ransom was demanded from his family. The FBI and law enforcement advise that if contacted by potential cyber kidnappers, individuals should not pay any money, cease communication, and immediately contact authorities. Americans lost over $10 billion to online scams in 2022, and the FBI urges vigilance against these fraudulent activities.

via NewsNation Now|
##crime-and-safety#cyberkidnapping
crime-and-security2 years ago

"Exchange Student Rescued in Utah Amid 'Cyber Kidnapping' Scare"

The FBI has issued a warning about a new "cyber kidnapping" scam after a Chinese exchange student in Utah was coerced into staging his own kidnapping, leading to his family being defrauded of $80,000. This follows similar warnings from Chinese and Australian officials and is part of a growing trend of online scams targeting Chinese nationals and students abroad. Victims are tricked into isolating themselves and providing video evidence of their "kidnapping" to extort money from their families. The FBI advises against sharing personal or financial information with unknown individuals accusing you of a crime.

via NBC News|
##chinesestudents#crime-and-security
crime2 years ago

"Understanding and Preventing Cyber Kidnapping Among International Students"

A 17-year-old foreign exchange student in Riverdale, Utah, was blackmailed and cyber-kidnapped by criminals demanding money under threats to his family in China. The student had been sending money for about a month before his disappearance on December 28. The kidnappers extorted approximately $80,000 from the family. The student was found in a tent with minimal supplies near Brigham City after police tracked his cell phone pings. He has since been reunited with his family and they plan to return to China. The case is now in the hands of Chinese investigators as the kidnappers are believed to be based in China.

via KUTV 2News|
##blackmail#crime
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Student Rescued from 'Cyber Kidnapping' Ordeal in Utah Mountains"

Kai Zhuang, a Chinese exchange student, was the victim of a "cyber kidnapping" scam where his family in China paid $80,000 in ransom after receiving manipulated images and threats. Zhuang was instructed by scammers to isolate himself in the Utah wilderness, leading to a police search that eventually found him alive but distressed. This incident is part of a growing trend targeting foreign students, particularly from China, where scammers use isolation tactics and artificial intelligence to create convincing fake evidence of a kidnapping. The FBI and local law enforcement are aware of these scams, which have been on the radar since at least 2017, and are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any such incidents without paying ransoms.

via Forbes|
##artificialintelligence#crime-and-safety
crime-and-technology2 years ago

"Rise in Cyber Kidnapping: Students Staged Abductions and Real Rescues Unfold"

A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhang, was found in Utah after being the victim of a "cyber kidnapping" scam, where his parents paid $80,000 in ransom. This incident is part of a larger trend targeting Chinese students abroad, exploiting fears of deportation and visa issues. Authorities note an increase in cybercrime and human trafficking in Southeast Asia, with criminals using AI to enhance scams, including voice cloning. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the vulnerabilities of international students.

via Semafor|
##artificialintelligence#chinesestudents
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Exchange Student Rescued in Utah Following 'Cyber Kidnapping' Ordeal"

A Chinese exchange student in Riverdale, Utah, was rescued after falling victim to a "cyber kidnapping" scheme where criminals extorted $80,000 from his family by convincing him to isolate himself in the mountains and feign his own abduction. The Riverdale Police, with assistance from the FBI and Chinese authorities, located the student who was found cold and scared with limited resources. This incident highlights a growing trend where foreign exchange students are targeted by online criminals threatening their families to extract ransom.

via Gizmodo|
##chineseexchangestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Teen Victim of 'Cyber Kidnapping' Scam Found After Utah Ransom Ordeal"

A Chinese exchange student in Utah, Kai Zhuang, was found after being misled into isolating himself as part of an international cyber kidnapping scheme. The kidnappers used fear tactics and fake ransom demands to extort $80,000 from Zhuang's family. Zhuang was discovered in a tent with limited resources, and the FBI is now involved in the ongoing investigation to track down the perpetrators of this scam that predominantly targets Chinese exchange students.

via Fox News|
##crime-and-safety#cyberkidnapping
crime2 years ago

"Foreign Exchange Student Rescued in Utah Amid 'Cyber Kidnapping' Ordeal"

Kai Zhuang, a 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, was found in the Utah mountains after a suspected "cyber-kidnapping" incident. His family in China paid an $80,000 ransom following threats from scammers. Zhuang was discovered in a tent, cold and scared, with limited supplies and several phones believed to be used for the kidnapping ruse. He had previously been stopped by police during an earlier camping attempt. After being found, he was medically cleared and reunited with his family.

via PEOPLE|
##crime#cyberkidnapping
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Foreign Exchange Student in Utah Falls Prey to Rising 'Cyber Kidnapping' Scam"

A 17-year-old Chinese student in Utah, Kai Zhuang, was found after falling victim to a "cyber kidnapping" scam where scammers convinced his family he was held for ransom, leading them to pay $80,000. Kai was instructed by the scammers to isolate himself in a tent in the mountains, where he was found by police, cold and scared but unharmed. The FBI and local police worked together to locate him, emphasizing the rise of such extortion schemes across the United States. Kai was relieved upon rescue and was in good health, requesting only to speak with his family and to eat a warm cheeseburger.

via The Washington Post|
##chinesestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Student Rescued in Utah Mountains Following 'Cyber Kidnapping' Ordeal"

A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhang, was found in a tent in the Utah mountains after his parents were extorted for $80,000 in a "cyber kidnapping" scam. The student was coerced into isolating himself and faking his abduction, leading his parents to believe he was in danger. Riverdale Police, with the help of the FBI and other agencies, located Kai, who was unharmed but cold and scared. The case highlights a criminal trend targeting foreign exchange students, where they are manipulated into aiding in their own fake kidnappings to extort money from their families. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are advising the public to be aware of such scams and to contact authorities if targeted.

via NBC News|
##chinesestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Utah Police Rescue Exchange Student from Cyber Kidnapping, Issue Warning to Parents"

A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, was found alive in a tent in Utah after falling victim to a "cyber kidnapping" scheme. Believing his parents were in danger, he isolated himself as directed by cybercriminals, who then extorted $80,000 from his parents with a fake kidnapping photo. Zhuang was rescued in freezing conditions with no heat source, wanting only to confirm his family's safety and to eat a warm cheeseburger. The FBI and the Chinese Embassy are involved in tracking down the suspects of this growing scam targeting Chinese exchange students.

via UPI News|
##chineseexchangestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Exchange Student Rescued in Utah Amidst Cyber Kidnapping Investigation"

A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, was found in a tent in the Utah wilderness after being the victim of a "cyber-kidnapping" scam that led his parents to pay $80,000 in ransom. He was discovered cold and scared but alive by a sergeant hiking up a mountainside. The scam involved convincing Kai to isolate himself and simulate captivity to extort money from his family. Local police, the FBI, the US embassy in China, and Chinese officials collaborated in the search and rescue operation. Kai was safely recovered and expressed a desire for a warm cheeseburger and to speak with his family.

via The Guardian US|
##chinesestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Foreign Exchange Student Safe in Utah After Alleged Cyber Kidnapping Ordeal"

A foreign exchange student in Utah who was believed to be a victim of cyber kidnapping has returned safely to his host family. The student's parents in China had received a ransom photo and paid $80,000 after threats. The student, manipulated by kidnappers, was found camping without proper provisions, under the belief that his family was in danger. Authorities emphasize the importance of contacting police immediately if targeted by such crimes and assure foreign exchange students of their protection.

via WKRC TV Cincinnati|
##crime-and-safety#cyberkidnapping
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Exchange Student Rescued in Utah Amidst Cyber Kidnapping Ordeal"

Chinese foreign exchange student Kai Zhuang was found alive in Utah after being the victim of a "cyber kidnapping" scam, where his parents were extorted for $80,000. He was discovered in a tent, cold and scared, with limited supplies and several phones that may have been used in the kidnapping. Riverdale Police had previously interacted with Zhuang but were unaware of the threat. The scam involved convincing Zhuang to isolate himself and fake evidence of his kidnapping, while his parents were manipulated into paying a ransom. Zhuang was rescued and requested to speak with his family and have a warm cheeseburger.

via BBC.com|
##chinesestudent#crime-and-safety
crime-and-safety2 years ago

"Chinese Exchange Student Rescued from Utah Mountains Following 'Cyber Kidnapping' Extortion Scam"

A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, was rescued from a tent in the Utah wilderness after being victimized by a "cyber kidnapping" scam that led his parents to pay $80,000 in ransom. The scam involved convincing Kai to isolate himself and simulate a kidnapping scenario to extort money from his family. He was found "cold and scared" by a sergeant after a days-long search involving bank records and phone pings. The rescue was a collaborative effort between Riverdale police, the FBI, the US embassy in China, and Chinese officials. The Chinese embassy has since issued a warning against such scams targeting Chinese citizens in the US.

via Yahoo News|
##chinesestudent#crime-and-safety