Haunting photos of teen sent to family in “virtual kidnapping” scam
Investigations are continuing after a teenage student was in a “virtual kidnapping” scam in Sydney, which resulted in more than $213,000 being transferred for their child’s safe return.
NSW Police received reports of a missing 18-year-old Chinese woman on September 8 after friends became concerned for her welfare.
Photos and videos of the woman were sent to family using the Chinese messaging service WeChat.
Large sums of money were demanded by a person that was pretending to be Chinese police who were promising her safe release.
Following further investigations from NSW Police, Chinese authorities and the AFP, the woman was found safe and unharmed in the inner-city suburb of Pyrmont on September 15.
Police have since raided a Chatswood unit, while a 22-year-old male has spoken with officers. Investigations continue.
In one photo, a pair of bare legs can be seen. Police were trying to determine if that person is a victim themselves or involved in the scam.
NSW Police Force state crime command director Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said police were urging the community to remain vigilant to such elaborate phone scams.
“Less than two months ago, the NSW Police Force issued a warning to the community about ‘virtual kidnapping’ scams targeting Chinese students studying in Australia,” Det Chief Supt Bennett said.
“It appears these scammers are continuing to operate and are once again preying on the vulnerabilities of individuals in the community who are not in direct physical contact with their families.”
Det Chief Supt Bennett said that this incident began in July when a woman received an email from someone who was posing as Chinese police.
They told her that her personal details had been illegally used on a package intercepted overseas.
“The individuals behind these ‘virtual kidnapping’ scams continually adapt their scripts and methodology which are designed to take advantage of people’s trust in authorities,” he said.
Police are reminding Chinese nationals that authorities in China would never contact students demanding money.
They have urged that if anyone experiences such behaviour to report to the Chinese Consulate in Sydney and police.