Cyber-kidnappers persuade their victim to go into hiding, then get in touch with family members demanding a ransom. This type of crime is known as cyber-kidnapping. Additionally, the victim is forced to give images of themselves that appear to be taken prisoner, such as ones in which they are shackled or gagged. The family is then given access to these. Both sides think that if they don't comply with the kidnappers' requests, their loved ones will suffer damage.
In rural Utah, a Chinese student who was the victim of "cyber kidnapping" has been discovered unharmed. On December 28, Kai Zhuang, 17, was reported missing. When the authorities managed to locate him, his Chinese parents had already settled a ransom of $80,000. The boy's parents had reported that he looked like he had been abducted to his host school, Riverdale in Utah. The police were then called by the school. He appeared to have self-isolated when he was discovered in a tent approximately 40 kilometers north of Brigham City. How does "cyber kidnapping" operate and what does it entail? Although the exact number of these offenses committed annually is unknown, law enforcement professionals believe the number is rising. Eight incidences of cyber kidnapping targeting Chinese students were reported in Australia in 2020, according to a July 2020 BBC story.
Experts predict that these types of crimes will increase as artificial intelligence (AI) develops, since con artists can send voice messages to victims that precisely mimic a loved one in distress. A woman from Arizona testified before the US Senate last year about getting a call similar to this one.
It is advised to consider carefully what you share online about yourself and your kids, especially names, exact locations, and images of your house, neighborhood, or kids' school. Scammers can exploit information you've shared on social media to make their calls seem more credible. Before making any payments, experts advise calling the police and seeing how your loved ones are doing.
