Toronto police are investigating a scam that has lead to two missing Chinese international students.

The students are being contacted by what police describe as an “unknown” person, and are told that their families in China will be hurt. The students are being told to go into hiding, and to not use social media or cellphones.

The unknown person then proceeds to contact the students’ families in China, telling them that their son or daughter has been kidnapped and demanding ransom.

Police believe two students, Juanwen Zhang, 20, and Ke “Jaden” Xu, 16, are victims of the scam and are seeking the public’s assistance in locating them.

Zhang was last seen Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. in the area of Yonge St. and Grenville St.

Xu was last seen on Thursday around 10:30 a.m. in the area of Eglinton Ave. E. and Midland Ave.

Police are concerned for their safety.