Cyber kidnapping, sometimes called virtual kidnapping, is a type of scam where criminals use fear, threats and deception to convince people that they, or someone they know, are in danger.
Victims are often pressured into sending money, sharing personal information, isolating themselves from others, or following instructions from the scammers.
We're aware that students across the globe are being targeted by this type of scam, including in the USA and here in the UK. International students are sometimes targeted because scammers believe they may be unfamiliar with UK systems and processes, such as police, immigration and legal processes. However, anyone can become a victim of these scams.
How cyber kidnapping scams work
Cyber kidnapping scams can take different forms.
Scam type 1: “A family member is in danger”
A scammer may contact you claiming they have kidnapped a family member, friend or loved one. They may:
Demand money for the person's release.
Use personal information to make the call seem genuine.
Threaten harm if you tell anyone or contact the police.
Create pressure by insisting you act immediately.
Scam type 2: “You are under investigation”
A scammer may pretend to be a police officer, government official, embassy representative or another person in authority. They may:
Claim you are under investigation.
Accuse you of fraud, money laundering or another crime.
Threaten arrest, deportation or legal action.
Ask for passport details, visa details, passwords or bank information.
Tell you not to contact your family, friends or university.
Instruct you to move to a hotel or another location.
Demand money to avoid prosecution or resolve the matter.
In some cases, students have been persuaded to isolate themselves from family and friends, making it easier for scammers to convince relatives that a genuine kidnapping has occurred. There have also been cases where students have been forced to stage their own kidnapping, by providing images or videos of themselves, so that scammers can extort money from their relatives.
These are some real examples of cyber kidnapping scams, so you can recognise what they may look like:
Example 1: “You are under investigation”
You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or government official. The caller says your passport or bank account has been linked to a serious crime.
The caller threatens arrest, deportation or legal action unless you cooperate. They ask for personal information and may demand payments to "clear" your name.
This is a scam.
Example 2: “Stay in a hotel and don't contact anyone”
A scammer pretending to be an official tells you that you must take part in a confidential investigation. You're instructed not to tell friends, family or university staff what's happening.
The scammer may ask you to move to a hotel, keep your phone line open, or stop communicating with other people.
This is a scam.
Example 3: “Send proof you're cooperating”
You are pressured into sending photographs, videos or recordings of yourself because the scammer claims this is needed as part of an investigation.
The images may later be used to convince relatives that you have been kidnapped or are in danger in order to extort money from them.
This is a scam.
Example 4: “Your family member has been kidnapped”
A caller claims they have kidnapped a family member, friend or loved one and demands money for their release. They may use personal information or play recordings designed to make the situation seem genuine.
The caller will often try to stop you contacting the family member directly and may insist that payment must be made immediately.
This is a scam.
Protecting yourself from cyber kidnapping scams
How do scammers find students?
Scammers use a range of methods to obtain contact information and identify potential victims.
Students have reported receiving scam calls shortly before travelling to the UK or soon after arriving. In some cases reported to King's, students had received UK SIM cards before arrival and were later contacted on those numbers.
This does not mean that a SIM card provider, university or visa centre has shared your information. Criminals often target large groups of people by obtaining contact details through a variety of sources. Common sources include:
Social media platforms.
Messaging apps and online communities.
Public posts about plans to study in the UK.
University applicant and student groups.
Information exposed through data breaches.
Telephone numbers obtained through mass marketing lists or automated dialling.
Being contacted by a scammer doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. These scams often target large numbers of students in the hope that a small number will respond.
How can I protect myself online?
Remember that information shared publicly online can be used by scammers to make their stories appear convincing. For tips on protecting yourself, read our guide Staying safe online throughout your studies.
Consider creating a family verification code
Agree a simple code word or phrase with your family that only you know.
If your family receives a call claiming you have been kidnapped or are in danger, they can ask for the code word before taking any action.
How can I check if a caller is genuine?
If someone claims to be from the police, a government department, an embassy, a bank or another organisation:
Don’t rely on the caller ID. Phone numbers can be spoofed to look genuine.
End the call and find the organisation's contact details independently through its official website.
Call back using an official published number.
Ask a trusted friend, family member or member of King's staff to help you verify the information.
If the caller claims to be from the police and you are unsure, end the call and contact the police directly using 101.
Be aware of caller ID spoofing
Scammers can make a phone call appear to come from a genuine number, such as a police force, embassy, government department or bank.
Even if the number displayed on your phone looks legitimate, you should not assume that the caller is genuine. If you're unsure, end the call and contact the organisation directly using contact details from its official website.
Important to know: Genuine organisations won’t object if you take time to verify their identity. Anyone who pressures you to stay on the phone, act immediately, keep secrets or avoid speaking to others should be treated with suspicion.
For more guidance on phone scams, read our article What are fraudulent phone calls, and how can I look out for them?
What to do if you are targeted
What should I do if I receive a suspicious call?
1. Recognise
Stop and think before responding. Scammers often rely on fear and urgency to stop people checking whether their claims are real.
Be cautious if someone:
Creates a sense of urgency and tells you to act immediately.
Claims you or a family member are in danger.
Asks you to keep the situation secret.
Requests money or bank transfers.
Asks for personal information or copies of documents.
Tells you not to contact the police, your family or the University.
Pressures you to stay on the phone or communicate only with them.
Asks you to install software, download apps, scan QR codes or join private messaging groups.
Genuine police officers, government departments and embassies will not ask you to transfer money to resolve a criminal investigation, keep secrets from your family or university, or isolate yourself from others.
2. Disengage
End the call immediately.
Do not transfer money.
Do not share personal information.
Do not send photographs of yourself or your documents.
Do not follow instructions to isolate yourself or stop communicating with others.
Do not install software or applications at the request of an unsolicited caller.
Keep any messages, emails or screenshots if it is safe to do so.
3. Report
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, hang up and call 999 immediately.
If there is no immediate danger:
Contact the police on 101.
Report the incident to Report Fraud.
Contact the King's Student Welfare Advisers for advice and support.
Tell King's if you have been targeted
Even if you recognised the scam, ended the call and did not lose any money, it is important that you let King's know what happened.
We are actively monitoring these incidents and the methods being used to target students. Information from students helps us:
Identify emerging scam techniques.
Share warnings and safety advice.
Support students who may be affected.
Work with relevant agencies where appropriate.
Please contact your department, Student Services or the King's Student Welfare Advisers if you have been targeted by a cyber kidnapping scam.
You will not get into trouble for reporting a suspicious call, message or email, even if you have already spoken with the scammer.
Further support
If you have been affected by a scam, you may wish to seek support from:
Victim Support – Help with Cyber Crime
Report Fraud - The place to understand cyber crime and fraud
You can also:
• Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (free from most UK mobile networks).
• Visit the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website for advice about staying safe online.
• Visit the National Crime Agency (NCA) website for information about cyber-enabled extortion and cyber kidnapping scams.
Read our article Common scams and fraud; get to know them and how to avoid them for more advice.