Police warn of International student scam resulting in student faking their own kidnapping

Hamilton police are warning of an International student scam that resulted in a student faking their own kidnapping.

In the early morning hours of Friday April 29, police responded to the area of Main Street and Emerson Street in regards to an extortion/abduction report of a McMaster international student. The student had last been seen at around 4:00 p.m. the day before.

Police say the student was located unharmed and in good health at an address in Peterborough.

In early February, police say the student received a phone call from a fraudster posing as a Chinese embassy official in Ottawa advising that their identity had been compromised. They were instructed to call police in Shanghai where someone using their name had committed a serious criminal offence.

The student contacted the number provided and spoke with another fraudster posing as a high ranking police official. Police say the student was warned that they could face a lengthy incarceration if their name was not cleared.

The student transferred a significant amount of money to the fraudster with a promise that all funds would be returned upon completion of the investigation. The student was sworn to secrecy while the “investigation” was ongoing.

By late April, police say the student was not able to keep up the payments and was told to fake their own kidnapping in order to ask for ransom money.

The student then sent a video to their parents. Police say the parents believed their child has been kidnapped and also transferred a significant amount of money to the fraudster.

Chinese police have been contacted and the money transferred by the parents has been secured. Police say the student is safe.

Hamilton police say they want to make people aware of such scams and provided the following advice should anyone receive such a call:

• Be suspicious of calls that demand money or immediate action

• No law enforcement agency will demand payment of currency in order to conduct an investigation

• Never offer information to the caller

• Remember to never send money to someone under uncertain conditions

• Don’t be afraid to say “No”

Police say if you have fallen victim to such a scam to contact them at 905-546-4925.