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.
