Virtual kidnapping scams on the rise prompting fresh warning to international students

This shocking image should send a chill down the spine of every parent and international student.

It’s the image of a 17-year-old Perth student who fell victim earlier this year to a so-called ‘virtual kidnapping’ scam – which is on the rise.

Police and those who have fallen victim to the scams have spoken out to warn others and to encourage victims to come forward amid fears more victims have not yet contacted police.

Virtual kidnappings were first seen in Australia last year, with police across the country receiving regular reports of the scams being targeted towards primarily Chinese-speaking Australian-based university students.

It usually starts with a scammer impersonating a Chinese military or government official convincing victims — usually via text or telephone — that they are wanted for a crime back in their homeland.

The scammer will then typically demand large amounts of money from the young victims, threatening them with deportation or arrest if they don’t comply.

If the victim can’t or refuses to come up with the money they are forced to fake their kidnapping, so the scammers can demand a ransom from their family for their safe return.

In some of the worst cases, students and their families have been scammed out of almost $500,000.

WA detectives attached to the financial crimes squad have reported a rise in cases.

Since August, there have been at least four cases in WA. But police concede that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

Those targeted in the four known WA cases ranged in age from 17 to 22. They were ordered to pay sums of up to $215,000 and in most cases were threatened with extradition back to their home country to face prosecution.

For the first time, the disturbing details behind an incident involving a 17-year-old boy who was studying at a Perth university have been revealed.

His and his family’s terrifying ordeal began on March 8, when the teenager’s parents who were living in China received a message via WeChat from their son’s account.

What followed was a series of other messages and videos that showed the 17-year-old student with visible injuries and his wrists and ankles bound by rope.

The messages also demanded that AUD$215,000 be transferred to a Chinese bank account.

Just before the boy’s parents were about to transfer money to the scammers, WA Police were alerted to the terrible situation by a family friend.

That led officers to a hotel room on St Georges Terrace where the tied-up teen was found.

It was quickly ascertained he was not in a hostage situation and that he had been forced to fake his own abduction as part of a virtual kidnapping scam.

In an exclusive interview, the boy and his mother said the entire ordeal had been a “disaster.”

“In addition to economic losses, there are also mental losses and mental injuries. For this family member, this was a disaster,” the mother said.

“It was a test for everyone in the family.”

But the mother said she had nothing but praise for the police who acted quickly to rescue her son.

“We have more trust in the police,” she said.

“After this incident, we found that it is very important to call the police in time. It is because of the intervention of the police that we did not transfer money to them when we were defrauded.

“I deeply hate all scams and scammers, and hope to do my best to call on everyone to be more vigilant.

“We just want to help others.”

The boy said he felt “lucky” that he and his family could get help from the authorities so quickly.

He said the entire ordeal had left him not feeling scared personally, but more scared for his family.

“I felt that my family would definitely protect me,” he said.

“I just feel very lucky for my family.

“I told my friends about this, to tell them that this happens to international students in general and to make them more vigilant.”

Detective Superintendent Peter Foley said there was every likelihood there were more victims who had not yet come forward.

“It’s likely our statistics do not paint the full picture and there may be more victims out there,” he said.

Det. Supt Foley said his officers were working closely with universities across to better educate international students on how they can protect themselves.

“We encourage all victims to come forward. You are not to blame and there is help at hand,” he said.

TIPS FROM POLICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM VIRTUAL KIDNAP SCAMS:

• Talk to your family about the prevalence of the scam ahead of time. Give your parents the contact details of the university and a close friend as a second point of contact in case they become worried about your welfare.
• If someone calls you making arrest and deportation threats immediately hang up the phone and contact your local police.
• Never give out personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call first to a trusted source.
• If you think a scammer may have your bank account details, contact your bank immediately.
• If you are a victim of cybercrime you should report using ReportCyber at Cyber.gov.au
• The Scamwatch website also has information about scams in different languages for overseas family.