01 January 2024 , 20:41
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The hunt for a missing Chinese exchange student came to an end when police found the terrified 17-year-old at the top of a mountain in Utah, confirming that the boy had been 'cyber kidnapped'.
In a terrifying turn of events, Kai Zhuang's parents rushed to contact authorities after receiving a ransom letter and a picture of their boy's face. Subsequently, police started looking and made the worrying discovery that his host family in Riverdale were unaware he'd gone missing, having last seen him the morning of his disappearance.
Upon realising the seriousness of the case, on Friday, the Riverdale Police Department asked for the help of the public and multiple law enforcement agencies, before eventually locating the frightened teenager in the Brigham City Canyon area on December 31.
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After launching an investigation, authorities made the shocking discovery that Zhuang had been 'manipulated and controlled' by cyber kidnappers, who had sadistically convinced him that his family back home were in danger and that they had to pay a ransom of $80,000.
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Kai Zhuang was terrified by the situation (Riverdale Police Department)The local police department joined forces with the FBI, the U.S. Embassy in China, and Chinese officials in a bid to bring the victim to safety. They were particularly concerned with the potential dangers the youngster may face by being out in such cold conditions. Consequently, they enlisted the help of the Weber County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Drone team.
When Detective Sergeant Engstrom discovered the tent after hiking on foot up the mountainside, he found that the poor juvenile had no heat source inside the tent other than a heated blanket and a sleeping bag. Furthermore, he was running out of food and water and had the three phones with him that authorities suspect were utilised to carry out the cyber kidnapping.
Kai Zhuang was a victim of 'cyber kidnapping' (Riverdale Police Department)Thankfully, upon receiving a medical examination, the Brigham City Fire Department confirmed that he had no signs of hypothermia. As per KSL, a relieved Zhuang then received the opportunity to speak to his parents before getting the chance to bite into a much-needed warm cheeseburger.
When the youngster first disappeared, it was reported that he had been 'forcefully taken' from his home and held against his will. However, police soon unravelled that this wasn't the case. Riverdale Police Chief, Casey Warren, confirmed that this method of cyber kidnapping is usually utilised with foreign exchange students who are forced to isolate themselves and send pictures to their families in order to paint the illusion that they are being held captive to scam the victim's loved ones out of their money.
Authorities later found CCTV footage depicting Zhaung purchasing camping gear. His phone and bank records were littered with camping essentials. It is still unclear how long the student was in contact with the perpetrator.