Rescued Exchange Student Emerges Cold and Terrified Following Alarming Case of Cyber-Kidnapping

The Riverdale Police Department found a teenage Chinese exchange student, Kai Zhuang, alone and cold in a tent after what they are describing as a "cyber-kidnapping." The 17-year-old was reported missing by his high school, and his parents in China had sent $80,000 to bank accounts in China after receiving a ransom photo of their son and facing continuous threats from the kidnappers, according to a press release issued on Sunday.

On Sunday, police discovered him "alive but extremely cold and frightened" at an improvised campsite in the mountains near Brigham City, utilizing Zhuang's bank and phone records, according to the statement. Authorities stated that he had been directed by his cyber-kidnappers to seclude himself there. When police arrived, Zhuang was reportedly relieved and "had no means of heating inside the tent, only a heated blanket, a sleeping bag, limited food and water, and several phones believed to be used in the cyber kidnapping."

The Brigham City Fire Department assessed Zhuang for any cold-related health issues and found no major medical concerns. He was then given a cheeseburger upon request. Additionally, Zhuang requested to speak with his family to ensure their safety, and the police assisted him in doing so, as stated in the release.

Zhuang was picked up by police in Provo more than a week before he was reported missing on December 20. They found him reportedly trying to camp and were worried about his safety, so they arranged for him to be taken back to Riverdale and contacted his host family. Riverdale Police confirmed that Zhuang was being manipulated and controlled by cyber kidnappers at the time, but had not told anyone.

The police visited Zhuang's host family on Thursday and were told that they had no knowledge of his disappearance. They reported that he was at home the previous night and heard him early in the morning. There was no indication that he had been forcibly taken from the home. Riverdale police collaborated with the FBI, the US embassy in China, and Chinese authorities to locate Zhuang.

According to police, the FBI has informed them that other foreign exchange students, particularly those from China, have fallen victim to similar "cyber-kidnapping" schemes in the United States. The perpetrators threaten the students, instruct them to isolate themselves, monitor them through video calls, and demand ransom from their families. Further inquiries were directed back to the Riverdale police by the FBI.

CNNs Kaylene Chassie contributed to this report.