Cyber Kidnapping: What It Is And How To Protect Yourself

Cyber kidnapping, also known as virtual kidnapping, is a form of extortion that involves deceiving and threatening people into paying a ransom for a loved one who is supposedly in danger. However, unlike traditional kidnappings, the victims are not actually abducted or harmed. The cyber kidnappers use various tactics to create a sense of urgency and panic, such as making phone calls with screams in the background, sending fake photos or videos of the victims, or claiming that the victims are injured and need medical attention.

One of the recent cases of cyber kidnapping involved a Chinese foreign exchange student in Utah, who went missing for several days after being contacted by the cyber kidnappers. The criminals also contacted his family in China and demanded money for his release. The student was eventually found safe and unharmed, and the police said that he was a victim of cyber kidnapping.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have issued some tips on how to prevent and deal with cyber kidnapping. They advise people to hang up and not engage with the callers, to try to contact the alleged victims through other means, to ask questions that only the victims would know, to avoid sharing personal information, and to call 911 and notify the FBI if they suspect a cyber kidnapping or a real abduction.

Cyber kidnapping is a serious and growing threat that targets people from all walks of life, especially foreign exchange students and travelers. It is important to be aware of the signs and strategies of cyber kidnapping and to take action to protect oneself and one’s family from falling prey to this scam. Read the full article on DC News Now by clicking the link below.

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