Bangkok Cybercrime warns of terrifying scam "virtual kidnapping"

Bangkok's Cybercrime Unit warns residents and tourists about the danger of a new type of fraud called "virtual ransom." Recently, the police rescued a 21-year-old Chinese student who was kidnapped by internet scammers. The incident occurred in a small hotel in Samutprakarn province. Transnational scam groups use deep fear and strict isolation to manipulate their victims. These criminals never commit physical abductions; instead, they create situations where the victim believes that their loved ones are in danger. According to representatives of the cybercrime unit, scammers usually start by deceiving their victims. They may use social networks or email to establish contact and gradually gain trust. Then, they create a situation where the victim thinks that their loved ones are in danger. In the case of the Chinese student, the scammers contacted him through social networks and began threatening his parents, demanding ransom. The student was isolated in the hotel and had no opportunity to contact the police or relatives. Upon arrival at the scene, the police rescued the student and apprehended the scammers. As a result of the operation, several individuals involved in organizing the criminal group were arrested. The cybercrime unit urges citizens to be vigilant and not respond to suspicious messages or calls. If you become a victim of scammers, immediately contact the police for help and protection.