In a chilling case of cyber kidnapping, a 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, who disappeared in Utah last week, has been discovered alive.
Authorities found Kai in a tent in the mountains near Brigham City, where he was "alive but very cold and scared," according to KSL, citing Riverdale City Police.
The tent contained a heat blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water, and several phones, presumably used in the kidnapping, as stated by Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren. Warren further explained that Kai was "manipulated and controlled" by cyber kidnappers who convinced him that his family in China was in danger.
The kidnappers managed to extort $80,000 from Kai's parents, who deposited the money into Chinese bank accounts after receiving a ransom note and a photograph of Kai, suggesting he had been kidnapped, as reported by KSL.
Kai was officially declared missing on Friday when the police were called to his host family's residence, who were unaware of his disappearance. ABC4 reported that Kai had left the house voluntarily, according to the police.
The ensuing investigation involved the Riverdale Police Department, the FBI, and the US Embassy in China, as noted by KSL. The authorities, using bank records, recent purchases, and phone records, concluded that Kai was likely self-isolating in the Brigham City canyon. This conclusion was reached after an incident where police in Provo expressed concern for Kai's wellbeing when he attempted to set up a campsite.
The FBI also alerted local authorities to other recent cyber kidnapping cases targeting Chinese exchange students. After his discovery, Kai was able to communicate with his family in China, assuring them of his safety, as per the police.
On his way to the Riverdale Police Department, Kai was treated to a warm cheeseburger, KSL reported. The Riverdale Police Department has not yet responded to The Post's request for a comment on the case.
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