Missing Chinese Exchange Student Found Safe Inside Tent After Alleged Cyber Kidnapping Plot

17-year-old foreign exchange student Kai Zhuang is found by police after being reported missing. Courtesy of Riverdale Police

An exchange student from China reported missing in Utah on Dec. 29 has been found “alive but very cold and scared,” hiding in a tent in the Brigham City Canyon area after falling prey to an apparent instance of cyber kidnapping.

Cyber kidnapping, or virtual kidnapping, involves misleading victims’ families into paying a ransom to free a loved one. However, in such cases, the kidnappers are bluffing and are not actually holding anyone. Instead, through deception, threats, and other tactics, they coerce victims into paying a quick ransom before the ruse is discovered.

According to the Riverdale Police Department, 17-year-old Kai Zhuang was reported missing on Friday, a day after he was last seen at the home where he had been staying in Riverdale.

He was found safe in a tent about 25 miles away from Riverdale in the Brigham City area over the weekend.

“The victim was relieved to see police,” police said in a media statement.

“The victim only wanted to speak to his family to ensure they were safe and requested a warm cheeseburger, both of which were accomplished on the way back to Riverdale PD.”

Alleged Cyber Kidnapping Plot

Authorities revealed Kai was isolating himself on the orders of alleged cyber kidnappers who threatened his family back in China. At the same time, Kai’s family received a ransom note and photograph of the student that made it appear he'd been abducted and was in danger. The family paid $80,000 in ransom before he was found. According to Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren, Kai was found with no heat sources and limited supplies in freezing cold temperatures.

“The victim had no heat source inside the tent, only a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water and several phones that were presumed to be used to carry out the cyber kidnapping,”  Mr. Warren said in a media statement.

He also urged foreign exchange students to contact their local police department if they find themselves in a similar situation rather than comply with any demands made by criminals.

“I want foreign exchange students to know they can trust police to protect them and to work with police to ensure their safety as well as their family’s safety abroad,” Mr. Warren said.

Riverdale Police first asked for public assistance to find Kai on Dec. 29, following the ransom demand and concerns for his welfare. During their investigation, authorities discovered Kai had purchased camping gear and was likely hiding out somewhere. The host family was reportedly unaware their charge was missing after hearing him in the house the same morning he went missing. Police say there were no signs he was forcibly taken.

Authorities also learned Kai had attempted to go camping in Provo, about 75 miles south of Riverdale, on Dec. 20 and was returned home by local police over concerns for his safety in the dangerously cold temperatures. He did not disclose the ongoing attempts by cyber kidnappers to force him into isolation. Riverdale Police have asked for anyone with information about the incident to contact detectives immediately as the investigation continues into the alleged cyber kidnapping plot.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.