A 21-year-old woman received a terrifying WeChat message saying her male friend had allegedly been kidnapped on August 16.
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The 19-year-old man was being held hostage in a Melbourne apartment by a "number of armed men" demanding $200,000 from the teenager, Victoria Police said.
The 21-year-old woman reported the message to police and officers found the teenager in the apartment at around 1.20am on August 17.
Police said the search was "without incident".
Officers have searched homes in the Melbourne CBD and Docklands and interviewed six Chinese nationals in regards to the alleged kidnapping.
Police have charged two of the men with false imprisonment, attempted armed robbery, common law assault, unlawful assault, extortion and blackmail.
They faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on August 18 and were bailed to appear again on November 9.
Police released the other men as investigations continue.
Victoria Police said they're aware of "a number of scams" targeting Mandarin-speaking Chinese students.
People claiming to be Chinese government officials or police are allegedly using fake information to extort large sums of money from their victims.
The scammers often threaten Chinese students with criminal charges or deportation, police said.
Anyone with information about these scams is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
