A 17-year-old Chinese student who wasa victim of 'cyber kidnapping' has been found safe in rural Utah.
The Student, Kai Zhuang was missing from 28 December
The time thePolice traced him, his parents had already paid the ransom of $80,000
He was found in a tent about 40 km north of Brigham City, where he seems to have self-isolated.
Cyber kidnapping refers to a crime where the ‘kidnappers’ convince their victim to hide, and then contact their loved ones for ransom
The victim is forced into sending pictures that depict them as being held captive, such as being bound or gagged.
Both the victim and their family fear that harm will come to their loved one if they do not comply with the kidnappers' demands
Experts believe that with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such crimes can rise, as scammers can send people voice notes that sound exactly like a loved one in distress
Cyber Kidnapping safety Measure (1)Verify Identities (2) Avoid sharing sensitive information (3) Educate Family& Friends (4) Use Privacy Settings
If you think you have become a victim of cyber kidnapping, it is advisable to seek advice from cybersecurity experts or law enforcement agencies who have experience inhandling such situations.