68.83% Say Cyber-Kidnapping Is a Serious Threat in Today’s Digital Age

One of the frightening crimes that has emerged in today’s world is cyber-kidnapping. Cyber-kidnapping is when kidnappers pretend to have abducted someone to coerce their family into paying a ransom. Experts believe that with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, such crimes could become more common, as scammers can send people voice notes that sound exactly like those of a loved one.

Understanding more about this crime is important; therefore, the online survey app Real Research asked the public what they knew about the topic, and here are the results.

Highlights:

• The public needs to be better informed about the methods used by cyber-kidnappers, according to 53.8%.
• 72.9% are extremely concerned about the potential rise of cyber-kidnapping incidents with the advancement of AI.
• 68.83% see cyber-kidnapping as a serious threat in today’s digital age.

What is Cyber-Kidnapping?

Cyber kidnapping refers to a crime where the ‘kidnappers’ convince their victims to hide and then contact their loved ones for ransom. The majority (45.63%) were vaguely aware of this frightening phenomenon, 41.15% were extremely aware, and 13.22% weren’t aware at all.

A Chinese foreign exchange student fell victim to cyber kidnapping while studying in the U.S. state of Utah. Local police found the 17-year-old unharmed after his parents paid an $80,000 ransom. 52.07% were familiar with this case, and 47.93% weren’t.

The police said that Zhuang was already being “manipulated and controlled by the cyber kidnappers” for a week before the incident. 53.8% said the public needs to be better informed about the methods and tactics used by cyber-kidnappers. 27.65% weren’t sure about this statement, and 18.55% disagreed.

Rise of Cyber-Kidnapping Incidents

A report highlighted that over the past year, Chinese students who were studying abroad have been targeted by cyber kidnapping scams. 57.13% believe educational institutions should be responsible for educating students about the risks of cyber-kidnapping. Similarly, 22.75% weren’t confident about the previous statement, and 20.12% opposed it.

Due to their distance from their families, other foreign exchange students will likely face similar cyber-kidnapping scams, according to 82.6%. In detail, 52.17% said it was somewhat likely, 30.43% said it was extremely likely, 15.23% claimed it was somewhat unlikely, and 2.17% thought it was extremely unlikely.

Experts believe that with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), such crimes could become more common, as scammers can send people voice notes that sound exactly like a loved one in distress. 72.9% cited extreme concern about the potential rise of cyber-kidnapping incidents with the advancement of AI. 24.65% were somewhat concerned, and 2.45% weren’t concerned at all.

When asked whether cyber-kidnapping is a serious threat in today’s digital age, these were the opinions, somewhat agree (48.98%), strongly agree (19.85%), somewhat disagree (17.22%), and strongly disagree (13.95%).