Police warn: Beware of kidnapping scam
Mar 8, 2017, 5:49 PM
Kidnapping scam calls have recently been reported throughout Western Washington. (Martin Cathrae, Flickr)
(Martin Cathrae, Flickr)
Police in the North End are warning of a kidnapping scam.
The Everett Police Department reports:
The scam involves the victim receiving a phone call where the caller tells the victim they have kidnapped their child or other relative and demand ransom money from the victim. The sounds of a person screaming can be heard in the background.
Related: Latest scam striking Seattle City Light customers
At least three kidnapping scams have been reported in Everett. The Redmond Police Department says that it, too, has received similar reports.
“This is a particularly frightening scam for victims,” said Snohomish County Sheriff Ty Trenary. “We are extremely concerned that this scam, which has been reported previously in other parts of the country, has now hit Snohomish County.”
Last summer, the FBI warned of other similar scams around the United States.
Kidnapping scam
Victims report that the calls have come from area codes: 525; 528; and 284. The first two area codes are from regions in Mexico. The 284 area code is listed for the British Virgin Islands.
The most recent scam was reported on March 5 in Everett. A 65-year-old man was told his 23-year-old daughter had been taken. The caller, a man, demanded $30,000 in ransom money and threatened to hurt the woman. A woman could be heard screaming and crying in the background. The father called 911. When police arrived at his home, the caller rang again. This time they wanted $500.
The daughter, however, was actually safe in Marysville the entire time. She was not aware of what was happening on her father’s phone line.
Everett police want you to write down the incoming phone number and call 911 if you receive a similar call.
