Beware of fake kidnappers calling and demanding ransom

ONTARIO >> Ontario police are warning people of an apparent phone scam in which callers claim to be holding family members for ransom.

Authorities said residents received four calls Tuesday morning in which an unknown caller claimed to have their loved ones and demanded money, Sgt. Jeff Higbee said.

A specific amount of ransom was not sought, he said.

In Tuesday’s calls, Higbee said one scammer threatened to take a loved one into Mexico if the victim didn’t pay.

Police investigated the calls and determined they were scams, officials said.

The calls seem to be similar to ones that made the rounds in San Bernardino County last year. In those money-grabbing attempts, victims were ordered to wire anywhere from $500 to $5,000 or risk having their children harmed.

It’s typical of these scams for the callers to try to keep the victims on the phone until the money is sent to prevent the parents or family member from making calls to make sure their child or loved one is safe, according to authorities.

These type of calls are not unique to the Inland Empire or even Southern California. Last year, the FBI reported a spate of similar virtual kidnapping scams in New York where Latino families may have been targeted.

Authorities say indicators of the extortion scheme include:

• Incoming calls come from an outside area code.

• Callers go to great lengths to keep victims on the phone.

• Callers prevent victims from calling or locating the “kidnapped” family member.

• Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer service.

Anyone who feels they may have received a virtual kidnapping call should report it to their local law enforcement department immediately.