Virtual Kidnapping Scam

A caller claims to be holding a family member hostage and demands an immediate ransom payment, sometimes using an AI-cloned voice of the "victim" crying for help, even though the person is actually safe.

A scammer calls claiming to be holding a family member hostage, often having researched the victim's family and travel plans online to sound convincing, and sometimes plays a recording or AI-cloned voice of a person crying or screaming for help in the background. The caller demands an immediate wire transfer or gift card payment to secure release and insists the victim stay on the phone continuously and not contact police or try to reach the "kidnapped" person, all while that person is actually safe and completely unaware a call is taking place.

• A caller demands you stay on the line continuously and not hang up to check on anyone.
• Instructions not to contact police under threat of harm to the "hostage."
• Immediate demand for ransom via wire transfer or gift cards.
• The "kidnapped" person's voice sounds distorted, distant, or slightly off.

• Try to contact the supposedly kidnapped person directly on their own phone before doing anything else.
• Stay calm and ask questions only the real person would know the answer to.
• Never wire money or buy gift cards based on a phone threat alone.
• Contact local police immediately — they have protocols for these calls.