German cops rescue missing lad, 12, from the attic of a man he met through video game

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy who was "kidnapped" by a man he met while playing video game Minecraft has been rescued by German cops.

Paul Schickling sparked an international manhunt when he vanished from his home in the Swiss town of Solothurn a week ago after saying that he planned to “go on the run”.

Officers desperately searched for clues as to his whereabouts, examining his computer in the process.

They discovered that he was an “avid" Minecraft player and had posted personal details online – including his full name, home address and age.

He posted: “My name is Paul, my hobbies are playing Minecraft and chatting with fellow players on Teamspeak.”

Cops believe this put him in contact with a 35-year-old man from Dusseldorf, 370 miles away from Paul’s home, and raided his apartment, finding the boy hiding in the attic.

Before the 12-year-old disappeared, he had told parents he was going for a cycle run, with his bike eventually being found in a neighbouring town.

It is unclear if the boy was staying with the man voluntarily or against his will, but as he is underage it has still resulted in the man – only named as “Werner C” – facing kidnapping charges.

A police spokesman said there was a possibility that the boy was sexually abused, after confirming the German has a criminal record.

“It is too early to start criminal proceedings for sexual abuse.

“We have already spoken intensively with Paul in the presence of his parents.

"We are getting an image of what exactly happened, but we still need to complete the investigation,” he said.

The case was particularly unusual as Swiss police rarely make public appeals for assistance unless it is exceptionally urgent.

"The reunion of the boy with his parents in Düsseldorf was marked by great mutual joy. Today is a good day", said the Chief of the Criminal Police of the Swiss canton of Solothurn, Urs Bartenschlager.

After the link between the kidnapper and the child was revealed, Swiss telecommunications company Swisscom issued a warning to both parents and children who they said need to be on their guard.

"Like in the real world, also virtually you need to protect yourself and be watchful. In precisely those games where you play as a team and have to work together, you find both youngsters and criminals taking an interest in them.

The fact that Paul made all his information, including his name, age and address public, probably made him an even more attractive target for potential groomers.

"It is important that parents talk about all the risks involved of being online with their children", concluded the Swiss telecom officer.

"You should be aware that although online 13-year old Marco is talking to you, in reality this can be 46-year old Klaus."