FBI Warns of Rise in Mexican ’Virtual Kidnapping’ Telephone Scams Justin L. Mack - IndyStar
go to original October 17, 2017

Fake kidnapping scams a nationwide problem, law enforcement says (CBS Evening News)

Update: FBI Warns Not to Fall for a Female Caller That Screams "Help Me!", It's a scam (ABC News)

A new trend has emerged that takes advantage of residents by convincing them that a loved one is in danger as a means to scam ransom money from their bank accounts.

But the FBI has launched a nationwide campaign to warn potential targets and fight back against "virtual kidnapping."

The scam starts with an English-language extortion call from Mexico to U.S. victims with absolutely no connections or ties to Mexico, according to FBI spokeswoman Chris Bavender.

"Although virtual kidnapping takes on many forms, it is always an extortion scheme, one that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death," Bavender said in a statement. "Unlike traditional abductions, virtual kidnappers have not actually kidnapped anyone. Instead, through deceptions and threats, they coerce victims to pay a quick ransom before the scheme falls apart."

Scam indicators include callers going to great lengths to keep targets on the line; calls not being placed from the phone of the alleged victim; callers trying to prevent targets from contacting the “kidnapped” victim; and callers pushing for ransom money to be paid via wire transfer to Mexico.

Officials said in most cases, the best way to handle it is by hanging up the phone. But If you do engage the caller, don’t say your loved one’s name and ask questions that only the loved one would know.

You should also make every attempt to reach out to the victim via call, text or social media to verify that they are safe.

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