PHONE SCAM IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY CLAIMING TO HAVE ABDUCTED YOUR CHILD FOR RANSOM MONEY
On Friday, September 9th a mother came to one of Cumberland County Schools terrified that something had happened to her daughter. She had received a phone call from a local number that claimed to have abducted her daughter and was holding her for ransom. The mother described the voice with an accent stating that he had her daughter and she was to send him $2,500.00 if she wanted her back. The mother asked where she was and the man stated they were in town and he would not hurt her daughter if she sent him the $2,500.00. A child’s voice could be heard in the background crying and begging the man not to hurt her. The mother’s swift action kept the man on the phone while she drove to the school to see if her child was safe. Once she had arrived at the school and verified her child was safe she was able to see it was a scam asking for ransom money. The caller then ended the call. There was another call earlier in the day similar to this one but that resident didn’t have a child and basically hung up and reported the call. This incident is being investigated by the Cumberland County Criminal Investigation Division.
Scams are as old as mankind and they continue to thrive and evolve. The Internet age has enabled scammers to operate without coming face-to-face with potential victims. What follows is information on a virtual kidnapping ransom scam.
The scam typically begins with a phone call saying your family member is being held captive. The caller may allege your daughter has been kidnapped and you hear a female screaming in the background. Another variant of fraud has a family member being held because he/she caused an auto accident, is injured, and won’t be allowed to go to the hospital until damages are paid. Callers will typically provide the victim with specific instructions to ensure a safe return of the family member. You may be ordered to stay on the line until the money is wired. The caller may claim not to have received the money and may demand more payment. The following is taken directly from a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Press Release and explains how to avoid becoming a victim:
To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the following possible indicators:
* Calls do not come from the alleged 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 if possible.
* Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service or some type of cryptocurrency.
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 the callers don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or describe the vehicle the victim drives, if applicable.
* Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if he/she speaks.
* Attempt to call, text, or contact the alleged victim via social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell phone.
* While staying on the line with the 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 additional time to meet their demands.
* Don’t directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady.
* Request the alleged kidnapper to allow the victim to call you back from his/her cell phone.
* At the earliest opportunity, notify the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
To help prevent this scam, check privacy settings on social media accounts and revisit the information you publicize on those accounts. The more information available to the public, the more information scammers can use to convince you into believing a scam is real.
Please share this information to inform everyone of this “abduction scam”.
If you have questions about this information or need to report a potential scam happening to you, please call (931) 484-6176
Related Posts
May 4, 2024
TDOT RAMPING UP REPAVING EFFORTS STATEWIDE
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is ramping up its pavement repair efforts to address…
May 3, 2024
DATING SITE APP SCAM REPORTED TO SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
On 5/1/24 a Crossville man came to the Justice Center Lobby and reported that he…
May 3, 2024
TENNESSEE JUSTICE CENTER HONORS ABIGAIL WOOD OF CROSSVILLE AS “MOTHER OF THE YEAR”
Abigail Wood, Crossville, Tenn. – For 24 years, Mother’s Day has been a grand celebration…
