Utah exchange student found alive after being reported missing in “cyber-kidnapping” scam
Kai Zhuang, a 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, was reported missing in Utah after his parents in China revealed that they had been extorted for $80,000 in a “cyber-kidnapping” scam. The teenager was found alive, but cold and scared, in a tent in the Utah wilderness days after being reported missing.
The case followed a typical pattern for cyber-kidnapping, in which the “kidnappers” instruct the victim to isolate and provide pictures as if being held captive, which are then used to extort money from the victim’s family. After a days-long search, police became convinced that Kai was isolating in a tent about 25 miles north of Riverdale, Utah.
Concerned for Kai’s safety due to the cold weather, the police department worked tirelessly to locate him. They eventually found him in a tent with no heat source, only a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water, and several phones used to carry out the cyber-kidnapping. Kai was found alive but very cold and scared.
After being rescued, Kai requested a warm cheeseburger and to speak to his family, who had fallen victim to the scam. His host family in Riverdale had initially been unaware he was missing, having heard him in the kitchen on the day of his disappearance.
Local police worked with the FBI, the US embassy in China, and Chinese officials to find the missing teenager. The Chinese embassy in Washington advised its citizens living in the US to bolster safety awareness and take necessary precautions against virtual kidnapping and other forms of telecom and online fraud.
According to Riverdale police, cyber-kidnappers have been targeting foreign exchange students, particularly Chinese foreign exchange students, in recent times. This incident highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance against such scams.