FBI Alerts Rising 'Cyber Kidnapping' Scams: Utah Exchange Student Becomes First Major US Case

The FBI warning is released to alert people that online scams are rampant nowadays, particularly the rising cases of cyber kidnapping.

The FBI is warning people about malicious Chinese actors impersonating to be law authorities targeting to scam U.S. Chinese exchange students.

This alert is released after a 17-year-old Utah exchange student was recently rescued in a mountainous area freezing in a tent alone with no heating after her parents in China and high school in the U.S. reported he was missing.

FBI Alerts: Rising Cyber Kidnapping Scams

These cybercriminals make calls appear as if they originate from reputable entities such as major retailers, mobile phone providers, delivery services, or the Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

They start by deceiving these victims by alleging that their personal information is involved in a financial fraud investigation, either as suspects or victims. They inform their victims, saying that a Chinese provincial police department is supposedly handling the investigation.

Impersonating a Chinese police officer, the scammer details the fabricated crime and provides fake evidence like counterfeit law enforcement credentials, photos of the victim's Chinese national ID, and falsified documents charging the victim with crimes.

Victims are coerced into agreeing to constant video and audio surveillance, purportedly due to the sensitive nature of the investigation or to prove their innocence. They are ordered to keep the case details confidential, refrain from online searches about it, and report all their daily movements to the scammers.

Additionally, these scammers may intimidate victims with threats of trial in China or arrest if they don't comply.

Furthermore, the victims are instructed to transfer substantial amounts of money to a Chinese bank account, purportedly to confirm their innocence or to post bail and avoid being extradited to China.

In some cases, the victims are manipulated into deceiving their own friends and family to gather more funds, act as intermediaries in money laundering, or participate in similar schemes targeting other Chinese students in the United States.

According to the FBI warning, if an unknown individual contacts you to accuse you of a crime, do not release any personally identifiable or financial information, and do not send any money. Cease any further contact with the individual, and you can report it to the authorities.

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Utah Exchange Student Kai Zhuang's Cyber Kidnapping

The Utah exchange student, Kai Zhuang, is the only major case of cyber kidnapping at the moment, which prompted the FBI's immediate public alert.

Zhuang was immediately reported missing after his family in China alerted his high school in Utah that he was missing. His family in China also revealed that they believe he was kidnapped and have sent the criminals money that was reported to be $80,000.

The 17-year-old, however, was tracked by the Riverdale police department in Utah in a mountainous area, freezing, in shock, hungry, and alone inside a tent.

In a statement, the Riverdale Police Department expressed their belief that the student had secluded himself in a tent as instructed by the cyber kidnappers.

The police stated that they were concerned about his well-being, considering the harsh winter conditions in Utah and the potential risk of him succumbing to the cold overnight.

A representative from the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. confirmed that embassy staff were sent to the location and found that Zhuang was physically unharmed.

Kai Zhuang's case is notably the first of its kind to gain attention in the U.S., but such scams have been a recurring issue in Australia. While this might be the first major case in the U.S., Australia has reported similar cases since 2020.

China's Consulate in Adelaide reported several recent cases, with victims suffering significant financial losses and emotional distress. The Consulate in Melbourne revealed that scammers had tricked another victim into leaving Australia and traveling to a third country under the pretense of evading Australian police before realizing the deception.

The New South Wales police even created a Mandarin-language TikTok video to raise awareness about these scams. Additionally, China's consulate in Toronto and its embassies in the United Kingdom and Japan have issued similar advisories.

This newer form of cyber kidnapping is an evolution of a more common scam, often referred to as the grandkid scam.

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