Cyber-Kidnapping

Botch

There's been a very bizarre local story in the news here for the last few days, and it wasn't until today that I finally understood it.  
A 17-yr-old Chinese exchange student was being hosted here in my town (Riverdale) when he disappeared and was reported "kidnapped".  My first thought was that he had a family member, or he himself, said something critical of Xi's government and he was abducted.  His family in China had received a "captive" photo of him from the kidnappers, along with a ransom demand.  
A day or two later he was found camping in one of the valleys nearby (in December) with minimal food and shelter.  My second thought was that he was dropped off there and left to fend for himself.  
Then it was learned that his camping gear/clothing, HE had purchased a few days earlier.  My third thought was "WTF?!?"  
Today, the full story.  Cyber-criminals (from where they don't know yet) had contacted him, ordered him to buy camping gear, take the captive photo of himself, not talk to the cops, and send them his picture, or they'd go after his family in China.  Once they got the photo, they sent it to his family in China and demanded a ransom, and threatened his life!  
This is all kinds of f*cked-up, and apparently it's happened before, and they go after exchange students who aren't familiar/comfortable with their new "home".  

JohnInCarolina

That is some weird, wild stuff there Botch.