In this episode, Dr. Lennon Chang from Deakin University provides an academic exploration into the mechanisms and implications of virtual kidnapping and online scams. Dr. Chang discusses the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals to exploit victims and the significant challenges in international law enforcement collaboration. He underscores the importance of enhancing public education about scams and the available support systems for victims, providing a personal example to highlighting the limitations of education in preventing scams but how it can aid with recovering. The discussion also ventures into the potential future challenges posed by emerging technologies, offering insights into the evolving landscape of cybercrime prevention and the critical role of academic research in informing policy and practice.