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FBI
Virtual
Kidnapping Scam on the Rise in New York City
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New York City Police Department
are alerting the public to a new, frightening scam that is targeting
New York City residents. In the scheme, individuals call claiming to
have kidnapped a family member. While no actual kidnapping has taken
place, the callers often use co-conspirators to convince their victims
of the legitimacy of the threat. For example, a caller might attempt to
convince a victim that her husband or son had gotten into a car
accident with a member of a gang. The individual calling pretends to be
a friend or relative of the gang member and tells the victim that their
family member is seriously injured and needs to go to the hospital but
that their friend will not allow them to go the hospital until he gets
paid for the damages done to his vehicle. In another example, a caller
might attempt to convince a victim that his daughter was kidnapped by
having a young female scream for help in the background during the
call. Often the reason they are holding the alleged victim varies, but
some of the most prominent scams involve car accidents, drug debts,
gang assaults, or persons being smuggled across the border. Victim
telephone numbers appear to be dialed at random.
Callers will typically provide the victim with specific instructions to
ensure safe return of the allegedly kidnapped individual. In some
cases, these instructions involve demands of a ransom payment. Callers
are ordered to stay on the phone until the money is wired, often to a
third party in Puerto Rico. Most schemes use various techniques to
instill a sense of fear, panic, and urgency in an effort to rush the
victim into making a very hasty decision. Instructions usually require
the ransom payment be made immediately and typically by wire transfer
using companies such as Western Union. The requested ransom payments
are for varied amounts, usually between $600 to $1,900. In addition,
once a payment is made, the alleged kidnappers often claim the money
was not received and tells the victims that they need to wire
additional money. The perpetrators of this scam appear to be Hispanic
males and often speak with a Spanish accent.
“This is a scheme that takes advantage of some of the most vulnerable
people in New York City,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge George
Venizelos. “We need the public to be aware of this scam and call us if
they have been a victim.”
“The New York City Police Department, in conjunction with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, continually seeks preventive measures to
ensure the public is both safe and well informed,” said NYPD Police
Commissioner William J. Bratton. “We encourage the community to
immediately contact the police if they encounter any calls that require
a ransom for kidnapping.”
To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the
following possible indicators:
Incoming calls come from an outside area code,
sometimes from Puerto Rico with area codes (787), (939) and (856)
Calls do not come from the kidnapped victim’s phone
Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone
Callers prevent you from calling or locating the
“kidnapped” victim
Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer
service
If you receive a phone call from someone who demands payment of a
ransom for a kidnapped victim, the following should be considered:
Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to
the victim directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
If they don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them
to describe the victim or describe the vehicle they drive, if
applicable.
Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped
victim if they speak.
Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via
social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell
phone.
While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers,
try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
To buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell
them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time
to get things moving.
Don’t directly challenge or argue with the caller.
Keep your voice low and steady.
Request the kidnapped victim call back from his/her
cell phone.
We are asking anyone with information about the virtual kidnappings to
call the FBI at 212-384-1000 or the NYPD at 800-577-TIPS. If you
believe you are the victim of a real kidnapping, please call 911 or
your local FBI office. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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