Virtual Kidnapping Scam On The Rise

Although virtual kidnapping scams have been around for many years, police suggest that virtual kidnapping scams are on the rise today around the United States and elsewhere.

Such an attack often involves criminals contacting a phone number and attempting to obtain a quick ransom payout. Once someone answers the phone the scammers will then threaten them that if they don't pay the ransom that their loved one is going to be harmed. They might threaten those answering the phone that if they attempt to contact that loved one that they will take their life as a consequence and many people might be nervous to take the risk that it's an empty threat and attempt to contact their loved one. The scammers also frequently tell those picking-up that they aren't allowed to try and contact any police or it could mean punishment for their loved one.

It's been attempted in a growing number of areas, thankfully there are many who haven't fallen victim to the scheme even though they've been targeted. Others haven't been as lucky and some have been scammed out of hundreds or more.

For some victims, they report that they had seen a call coming in on their phone from the number of their loved one, along with an image of them that popped up on the screen. Other times the call might be coming in from a blocked number or showing an outside area code.

Law enforcement in different regions have issued warnings to the public and suggested that if anyone does call you trying to demand a ransom that you should:

• attempt to contact the victim
• hang up the phone
• try to slow the situation down
• ask to speak with the loved one directly that they claim to be holding
• not to disclose any identifying information
• limit online personal information
• not to agree to pay the ransom

Victims of the scam have frequently mentioned that at the beginning of the call they had heard someone screaming that was alleged to be their loved one being held for ransom. On multiple occasions, those targeted have been lucky enough to reach out to their loved one who they thought had been kidnapped and had been able to determine whether or not they truly were safe. It's a risk though, if they believed that it was a true event then they are risking the safety of their loved one by going against the demands and trying to call the family member.

The first generation of this kidnapping scam reportedly started back in Taiwan around the late 1990s. Today, the scam has evolved along with the advancement of technology. International students have always reportedly been a successful target for these scams as well because it's more difficult for their family to confirm their whereabouts when they're overseas.

For many parents who aren't able to contact their family member to determine if they really have been kidnapped or not, they often will believe the scam and eventually pay the ransom.

Raising public awareness about the reality of virtual kidnapping might help some individuals to be prepared if it happens to them. Numerous police departments over the last couple of years have posted a myriad of warnings to social media, attempting to warn the public and urge caution about the growing prevalence of this scam.

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