The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has issued a public warning about an elaborate fake kidnapping scam targeting Chinese international students around the world.
Those behind the "virtual kidnapping" scam contact the victims and tell them they are implicated in crimes back home in China, and their families will be harmed if they do not cooperate.
Their parents in China are then told by the perpetrators - who communicate in Mandarin and pretend to be government officials - that their child has been kidnapped, and they must pay a large ransom.
Previous reports have seen victims tricked into cutting off contact with their families and filming fake hostage videos, which are then sent to their relatives.
“Scams take advantage of people’s trust in authorities, and fear of doing the wrong thing,” the AFP said in a statement released on Monday.
“Victims can feel an array of emotions, from helplessness and humiliation to anger and guilt, but it’s important to know, you are not to blame and there is help at hand.”
According to the Department of Education and Training, more than half a million international students enrolled at Australian universities in 2018, and more than 30 percent of them come from China.
Reports of the scam in Australia have been shared by INTERPOL with local police, and Chinese authorities.
International students are vulnerable to being scammed. Source: Getty Images
Similar scams have been reported in the United States and Canada – which alongside Australia and the United Kingdom are the most popular study destinations for Chinese international students.
In some cases, the scammers had made the call appear to be from the Chinese consulate, by altering the caller ID.
Canada’s Vancouver Police said there were 20 instances of the scam in 2017, and there have been two reported cases this year.
Sergeant Jason Robillard from Vancouver Police said scammers target vulnerable Chinese students, usually young women, who may be confused and scared.
“They really believe they are working with Chinese police, and that they may be arrested or their parents arrested, if they do not cooperate. They are fearful, so they do what they are asked,” he said in a press conference last week.
“We want to remind all foreign students that Chinese police will not arrest you in Canada, and legitimate contact from Chinese authorities will be through your local police.”
The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney has previously advised Chinese officials do not ask for personal details over the phone.
Chinese community 'deliberately targeted'
The fake kidnapping reports follows a recent scam targeting the Chinese community in Australia.
Just weeks ago, South Australian Police reported two victims lost more than $300,000 to scammers claiming to be from the Shanghai Police and conducting a money laundering investigation.
“While scams can target a wide range of people, in this case, the scammers appear to be deliberately targeting the Chinese community,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Bolingbroke from the South Australia Police Major Fraud Investigation Section.
“We’re keen to disseminate this information to the community because we know that education is key to preventing scammers defrauding people.”
The incidents also add to the long list of scams involving fake Chinese diplomats, who have stolen around $10 million from victims residing in Sydney, according to the Chinese Consulate General.
SBS News has contacted the Consulate General and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for further information.
If you think someone is trying to scam you, or you’ve been scammed, the AFP advises to cease all contact with the scammer and contact your local police or consulate immediately.
For more information on scams, how to report them and tips on how to protect yourself, visit the Federal Government's Scamwatch website . The Scamwatch website has information about scams in .
If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service (IDCARE) .
