A Chinese foreign exchange student who went missing in Utah last week has been found alive — and authorities believe he was the target of cyber kidnappers.
Kai Zhuang, 17, was found Sunday in a tent in the mountains near Brigham City, “alive but very cold and scared,” KSL reported, citing Riverdale City Police.
Kai was in a tent with only a warm blanket, a sleeping bag, and limited food and water, as well as several phones that may have been used in the abduction, Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren said in a statement.
Kai was “manipulated and controlled” by “cyber kidnappers” who convinced him that his family in China was in danger, Warren explained.
The teenager’s parents even paid $80,000 into a bank account in China because of taunts from the kidnappers after they received a ransom and photos of Kai that showed he might have been kidnapped, KSL said.
Kai was officially reported missing on Friday, when police responded to the home of his host family, who had no idea he was gone.
According to police, Kai actually left the house by himself, ABC4 reported.
Kai Zhuang’s campsite was found by the search crew. Riverdale City Police via KSL Kai Zhuang, 17, was found Sunday in a tent in the mountains near Brigham City. Riverdale City Police Kai Zhuang was living in a tent with minimal supplies, police said. Riverdale City Police through KSL Authorities believe the teenager was the target of a cyber kidnapper. Riverdale City Police
The subsequent investigation brought together resources from the Riverdale Police Department, the FBI, and the US Embassy in China, KSL added.
Through bank records, recent purchases and phone records — and after noting an incident in which police in Provo were concerned about the teenager’s well-being after he tried to set up a campsite — authorities concluded he may have isolated himself in a Brigham City canyon, it said. the outlet.
The FBI also notified local authorities of a recent cyber kidnapping case targeting Chinese exchange students.
After he was found, Kai was able to talk to his family in China and make sure they were safe, police said.
Searchers eventually narrowed down the teenager’s location in a snowy canyon. Riverdale City Police through KSL Police say that Kai left of his own volition. Riverdale City Police
He was also treated to a warm cheeseburger on the way to the Riverdale Police Department, according to KSL.
The Riverdale Police Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the case.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
