Cyber kidnapping

Context: A Chinese student who was a victim of ‘cyber kidnapping’ has been found in rural Utah, unharmed. The 17-year-old, Kai Zhuang, was reported missing on December 28. By the time the police traced him, his parents back in China had paid $80,000 in ransom.

What is cyber kidnapping?

• Cyber kidnapping is a criminal activity wherein the perpetrators persuade the victim to go into hiding and subsequently reach out to their family or friends to demand a ransom.
• The victim is coerced into sending images portraying a false scenario, such as being bound or gagged, to create the illusion of captivity.
• These manipulated images are then shared with the victim's family, instilling fear that harm will befall their loved ones unless the ransom demands are met.
• Despite not being physically present, the perpetrators closely monitor the victim's online activities through video-call platforms.

Process:

Cyber kidnapping, also known as virtual kidnapping, is a form of cybercrime where perpetrators deceive victims into believing that they or their loved ones are in danger or have been kidnapped. The perpetrators then demand ransom in exchange for the safety of the supposed victim. The process typically involves the following steps:

Deception: Scammers contact the victim and their family separately, persuading the victim that their family is being threatened or that they have been kidnapped.

Isolation: The victim is coerced into isolating themselves, often in a remote location, and providing proof of their captivity, such as sending photos that make it appear as though they are being held captive.

Ransom Demand: The cybercriminals then use these photos to convince the family that their loved one has been kidnapped and demand ransom, using fear and emotional manipulation to pressure the family into complying with their demands.

Extortion: The scammers continue to extort the family by using fear, tactics, photos, and voice recordings of the victim to maintain the pressure on the family to pay the ransom.

Factors responsible for such crimes:

Several factors can make individuals more vulnerable to cyber kidnapping crimes. Some of these factors include:

Lack of Awareness: Individuals who are not aware of the tactics used in cyber kidnapping and the warning signs are more susceptible to falling victim to these crimes.

Technological Advances: The use of artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies by perpetrators can make their schemes more sophisticated and difficult to trace, increasing the risk for potential victims. Experts believe that with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such crimes can rise, as scammers can send people voice notes that sound exactly like a loved one in distress.

Social Media Exposure: Perpetrators often use social media platforms to gather information about potential victims, allowing them to gain valuable insight into an individual's life and making their schemes more convincing.

Isolation: Cyber kidnappers force victims into isolating themselves, making it more challenging for them to seek help or verify the authenticity of the threats.

Emotional Manipulation: Perpetrators use emotional manipulation and threats to coerce victims and their families into complying with their demands, particularly by creating a sense of urgency and fear.

Language and Cultural Barriers: Perpetrators can target individuals in different languages and from various cultural backgrounds, making it easier for them to exploit vulnerabilities and create convincing scenarios

Solutions:

Digital Hygiene: Use strong passwords, unique usernames, and two-factor authentication to protect your accounts from hackers. Do not share confidential information with anyone, and use a password manager to keep track of your passwords

Phishing Awareness: Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls, especially those requesting personal information or prompting urgent action. Do not click suspicious links or attachments

Secure Internet Connection: Avoid public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities such as online banking or shopping. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and protect your online activities

Verify Identities: Confirm the identity of the person sending the messages or making the calls. Do not trust unsolicited messages or calls, and verify the identity of the person before sharing any personal information

Stay Informed: Stay informed about common cyber threats and scams. Awareness is a key defense against falling victim to manipulation and extortion attempts

Consult Professionals: If you believe you have become a target of cyber kidnapping, consider consulting with cybersecurity professionals or law enforcement for assistance

By taking these proactive steps, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyber kidnapping.