A 17-year-old Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, who authorities claim fell victim to an international cyber kidnapping scheme, has been rescued after facing near-freezing conditions in a tent outside Salt Lake City.
Zhuang reportedly fled his host home on December 28, influenced by cybercriminals who convinced him that his family in China was under threat.
His family informed the police that they had paid an $80,000 ransom after Zhuang sent them a photo indicating that he was being held against his will.
On Sunday, investigators announced that they located Zhuang alone, “very cold and scared,” in a snowy canyon northeast of the city, USA Today reported.
Helicopter and drone footage was released, depicting the evacuation of Zhuang and the dismantling of his tent.
During his absence, temperatures had dropped below freezing.
While Zhuang’s disappearance initially gained international attention, authorities now believe that someone manipulated him into running away, intending to coerce his family into paying a ransom.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 