A Chinese student who was in the US on a student exchange program was the victim of cyber-kidnapping , but fortunately he was found alive and well.
ABC4 Utah had said that the parents of 17-year-old Kai Zhuang reported the minor's abduction on December 28.
They had apparently received a tip about Zhuang's kidnapping and then sent the extortionists $80,000. Police later found the teenager " alive but very cold and scared " in a tent in a mountainous area about 30 miles north, near Brigham City.
See also: Ransomware, social engineering & AI: The biggest threats for 2024
According to information from Infosecurity Magazine, police identified Zhuang by analyzing past purchases and phone records, as well as tracking his mobile device .
Reports indicate that cyber-kidnapping cases are becoming more common, with online scammers targeting Chinese students who have visited the U.S. on exchange programs. The scammers contact the students and their parents separately and say that the children or parents (depending on who they are talking to) are in danger, in order to force them to obey their orders.
While demanding ransom from parents, they force the student to isolate themselves in a remote location, monitoring their digital communications. In order to increase the pressure on parents to pay, they will convince the student to take a photo of themselves, making it appear as if they are being held against their will.
See also: Lawsuit against Amazon for selling hidden cameras that look like ordinary objects
The FBI appears to be investigating several such cyber-kidnapping cases, which combine social engineering with malware to remotely access devices.
However, this type of cyber-kidnapping should not be confused with “virtual kidnapping,” where deepfake and generative AI tools are used to convince parents that their son or daughter has been kidnapped. In these cases, parents are asked to pay after receiving a harassing phone call from their blackmailers, who use technology to play a short message that sounds as if the child is there with them.
Although cyber-kidnapping is not a regular kidnapping, the psychological consequences can be complex and long-lasting. The first and most immediate effect is often acute stress.
See also: Google: Accused of tracking even in “Incognito mode”
Additionally, victims of cyber-kidnapping may experience problems in their social lives and relationships both online and in real life. They may feel alienated and face trust issues.
Source: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
🔒 Protect your privacy with Proton VPN
Swiss VPN from the creators of Proton Mail — strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and built-in NetShield that blocks ads, trackers, & malware.
- ✔ No-logs, based in Switzerland (except 14-Eyes)
- ✔ NetShield: blocks ads, trackers & malicious domains
- ✔ Covers all devices — free version available
The link is an affiliate link — SecNews may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. It does not affect the independence of our article writing.
