Vancouver police are warning the public after two students from China were targeted over the weekend in “virtual kidnapping” schemes.
The ruse starts with a phone call, sometimes from a number that appears to be from the Chinese consulate. The student is told that there is a warrant out for their arrest in China, or that Chinese police need their help with an investigation. The suspects eventually convince the victim to make fake videos saying that they have been kidnapped or are the victim of another crime.
The videos are then sent to the victim’s family members who are extorted for money. The victim is then told to go to a motel or short-term rental to hide from Canadian police.
“We want to remind all foreign students that Chinese police will not arrest you in Canada, or ask you to take photos or videos of yourselves pretending to be the victim of crime,” media relations office Sgt. Jason Robillard said. “Legitimate contact from Chinese authorities will be through your local police. We are here to help you. If you are confused or scared, reach out to your local police department in Canada.”
Vancouver police received 20 reports of similar extortion attempts in 2017. There have been two reports so far this year. He said that in general the victims have been women in their early 20s from mainland China studying in Vancouver.
Robillard said the scheme is generally carried out over several days with the suspects telling the victims to destroy their phone, get a new one and to use code words in conversation.
“What we’re seeing is an elaborate scheme and it’s targeting certain individuals that will believe this and have believed this and believe that Chinese authorities can arrest them in Canada and I think that’s the biggest thing is the fear of being arrested,” he said.
Robillard stressed that Chinese authorities would not arrest individuals in Canada.
“Canadian police will have something to do with that and if anybody is telling you that they are a Chinese police officer and that you will be arrested and are asking for your help either in an investigation or you fear that you will be arrested please contact your local police force.”
In last year’s incidents, only one of the 20 actually went as far as a “virtual kidnapping” but the suspects have been successful in getting a “substantial amount of money” from victims and their families.
“The [other] 19 were a variation of it and these schemes go in layers where they will get money throughout different processes and some victims will go further than others and some won’t go as far before the police are involved.”
Robillard said the department’s major crime section is investigating but believe the suspects are likely not in Canada.
Local police are working with Chinese officials and other police agencies, and is asking anyone with information about these crimes to call VPD major crime section at 604-717-3679 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
jkerr@vancourier.com
