Teen accused of staging his kidnapping to get parents in China to pay ransom

By The Canadian Press

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. — Police north of Toronto say a 16-year-old boy from China has been charged after he allegedly faked his own kidnapping.

York Regional Police allege the boy staged his abduction in late September to get his parents to pay a hefty ransom.

They say the boy had recently moved to Canada from China without his parents.

Officers say a video showing the boy bound, gagged and wearing a blindfold was sent to his parents, accompanied by a text message demanding $1 million.

Police say they devoted numerous resources to investigating the alleged abduction and found the boy in a Richmond Hill, Ont., restaurant.

They say officers then realized it was a hoax and charged the teen with public mischief.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2019.

The Canadian Press

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