Police warn residents of phone kidnapping scams
The Cathedral City Police Department is warning residents to be mindful of “virtual kidnapping scams” aka cyber-kidnapping scams or phone kidnapping scams.
In the scam, an unknown caller pretends to have kidnapped a relative or friend of the person who answered the phone and immediately demands payment of a ransom.
According to the CCPD, the Coachella Valley has seen an increase on virtual kidnapping and extortion scams.
The scam isn’t new but it has grown more sophisticated in recent years. Scammers are able to use social media to gather information on people and what their activities. With that info scammers know when a person is going to be away from their home and possibly in a situation where they could be at risk.
In some incidents, scammers target a block of telephone numbers with specific area codes. They will keep calling people until they find someone they can shock into believing the scam.
CCPD notes that the scammer will have a forceful, well-scripted approach that can be very convincing. They will use a child’s name, knowing that it will quickly raise a parent’s fear level. The scammer was probably able to find the child’s name on social media or the parent might have unwittingly told the scammer the child’s name.
Police say it’s important to realize that the scammer relies on shock, speed, and fear. They know they have a small window of opportunity to extract a ransom before the victim realizes the scam or authorities become involved.
To avoid becoming a victim, look for these possible indicators:
— The call does not originate from the “kidnapped” person’s phone.
— The caller goes to great lengths to keep you on the phone, so you can’t verify their claims.
— The ransom money must be paid by wire, PayPal, MoneyGram or a similar third-party service.
— The ransom amount quickly decreases if the parent or loved one resists.
If you receive a phone call from someone demanding ransom for an alleged kidnap victim, consider the following:
— Hang up the phone. If you engage the caller, don’t call out your loved one’s name. Try to slow the interaction.
— Request to speak with your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is OK?” Ask questions only the alleged kidnap victim would know such as the name of a pet. Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family.
— Attempt to contact the “kidnapped” victim via phone, text, or social media, and request they call back from their own cell phone.
— To buy time, repeat the caller’s requests and tell them you are writing down the demand or tell the caller you need time to get things moving.
— If you suspect an actual kidnapping is taking place, call the Cathedral City Police Department on 911 or immediately call your local law enforcement agency – before you provide any money.
— If the caller is using an international phone number, please contact the local FBI office in Palm Springs at (760) 320-0800 or fbi.gov.
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