Leesburg Police Warn Community of Virtual Kidnapping Schemes

LEESBURG, VA — After receiving a few complaints regarding fake kidnapping schemes or "virtual kidnappings," the Leesburg Police Department posted tips on Facebook on what to do if you ever receive a telephone call that a love one has been kidnapped.

Virtual kidnapping occur when a suspect calls a victim and states that they have kidnapped a loved one, normally a child, and are demanding payment for their release. These suspects can be very convincing and will use other people to scream and cry in the background pretending to be the child.

These types of incidents can harrowing and the suspect preys on the victims vulnerability in these situations.

The Leesburg Police Department posted the following tips in case you receive one of these types of calls:

To avoid becoming a victim of this extortion scheme, look for the following indicators:

• Incoming calls come from an outside area code, sometimes from Puerto Rico with area code 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

• 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 do not let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or 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
• While staying on the line with the alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone
• To buy time, repeat the callers 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 or her cell phone

Contact your local law enforcement agency if you feel that you are a victim of these types of schemes, the Leesburg Police Department advised.

Image via Shutterstock