Winnipeg Police have arrested and charged two men in connection to a kidnapping and extortion scam.

Police say that on February 27, 2018, a video was sent to one of the suspect’s parents in China telling them their son had been kidnapped and demanding a large sum of money within a specific time frame.

Winnipeg investigators were told of the crime and were able to located the alleged kidnapped victim to a home on Arden Avenue in Winnipeg. Police say the victim was unharmed.

Further investigation showed that the male had staged the kidnapping to obtain money from his parents.

On March 1, 2018, Yang Xi, 31 was charged in the scam with Extortion and Public Mischief for his alleged involvement.

Police continued to investigate the incident and found that Xi had been working with a male accomplice.

24-year-old Ji Zhang was charged on March 19, 2019 with Extortion and Public Mischief for his alleged involvement in the incident.

Zhang was detained in custody.