A Chinese livestreamer has reportedly been kidnapped after traveling to Thailand.
Wang Ran, a 24-year-old livestream shopping host from Harbin, reportedly traveled to Bangkok on September 12. According to her family, she later lost contact with her relatives and may have been taken across the border into Myanmar.
Her family has reportedly received a ransom demand of 600,000 yuan, equivalent to around $90,000. Chinese authorities have confirmed that Wang's family reported the case to police, but her current whereabouts have not been officially established.
Family Fears Wang Was Taken to Myanmar
According to reports, Wang's family managed to speak with her twice through video calls after she disappeared. During the calls, relatives reportedly noticed that she appeared disoriented and was sitting inside a sparsely furnished room.
The room allegedly contained an old bunk bed, while a window appeared to be covered with black plastic sheeting. These details led the family to fear that Wang could have been taken to a scam compound in Myanmar. However, there is currently no official confirmation that Wang has been transported to the country.
The family also claims that the people demanding the ransom threatened to sell Wang to a "club" inside a compound if the money was not paid. According to reports, the alleged kidnappers gave the family until September 20 to pay the ransom.
The case has since attracted significant attention in China, particularly because of the growing number of reports involving people being lured to Southeast Asia under seemingly harmless circumstances.
Police Are Investigating the Disappearance
Wang's father reportedly went to a police station in Nanjing on September 21 to report his daughter's disappearance. Police confirmed that the family had contacted them and said anti-fraud officers would follow up on the case.
The situation reportedly became even more alarming when Wang allegedly contacted her father again. According to his account, someone accompanying her had seen reports about the case and demanded that the family raise the ransom quickly. The person allegedly threatened to harm Wang if the money was not paid.
It remains unclear who is behind the alleged kidnapping, where Wang is currently being held, or whether any ransom has been paid. The case highlights wider concerns surrounding scam compounds in Southeast Asia, as Myanmar has repeatedly been associated with facilities where people are allegedly held against their will and forced to participate in online fraud.
For now, Wang's family is waiting for further information while authorities investigate the disappearance.
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