Chinese Exchange Student Victim of 'Cyber Kidnapping' Scam in Utah

Growing Trend of Online Extortion Schemes Targets Vulnerable Foreign Exchange Students

17-year-old Chinese exchange student Kai Zhuang was found 'very cold and scared' in a tent in rural Utah, following a 'cyber kidnapping' scam that extorted $80,000 from his family in China.
The 'cyber kidnapping' trend involves criminals tricking victims into isolating themselves and staging their own kidnappings, convincing their families they've been forcibly kidnapped and demanding ransom money.
Zhuang's case is part of a growing trend targeting foreign exchange students, particularly those from China, with the FBI noting that such cases have evolved to impact residents across the U.S.
Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence and social media, have facilitated these crimes, making them easier to commit and more difficult to trace.
Experts advise awareness of the problem, vigilance with personal information, and immediate contact with local police in the event of suspected 'cyber kidnapping'.