Toronto police believe that two Chinese students who were first thought to be missing might actually be victims of a scam targeting their families in China.
Police allege that the unknown suspects contacted both students and told them to go into hiding and not use their cellphones or social media, threatening their families in China if they did not comply.
The suspects then contact the student’s families and allegedly tell them that their family member has been kidnapped and demand a large ransom to ensure their safe return.
Police are concerned for the safety of both students.
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Juanwen Zhang, 20, was last seen Wednesday around 1:45 p.m. in the Yonge Street and Grenville Street area.
She is described as 5’4″, around 110 pounds, and was last seen wearing a grey jacket, grey University of Toronto track pants and carrying a green knapsack.
Ke (Jaden) Xu, 16, was last seen Thursday at 10:30 a.m., in the Eglinton Avenue East and Midland Avenue area.
He is described as 6’1″ with a thin build, short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a red winter jacket, grey pants and carrying a black backpack.
Anyone with information regarding these scams is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200 or 416-808-4100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).