Kidnapping Scams: How to stay safe and protect your loved ones.

Kidnapping scams are becoming an increasingly sophisticated and terrifying form of fraud. By exploiting a victim’s deepest fears, these scams target your emotional vulnerability to extract your money, often within minutes. This article is intended to help you recognize the signs of these scams, protect your family, and stay safe from these heart-wrenching threats.

Kidnapping scams are a cruel form of deception where criminals contact you claiming to have kidnapped your loved one. They create a sense of urgency, often using fake screams, sobbing, or pleas for help in the background to make the scenario more convincing. The caller will demand a ransom and often threatens to harm to your loved one if you try to contact the authorities for help or assistance.

These scams are typically carried out in the following ways:

1. Virtual Kidnapping: The scammer doesn’t actually have the person. Instead, they create a convincing illusion, relying on your panic to extract money before you realize it’s a hoax. They might know specific details about your family learned from monitoring your social media accounts, and in some cases even your phone, and use that information to make the scenario feel real.
2. Social Engineering: Scammers can extract information about your family, daily routines, or travel plans from the social networks of you people you know or businesses you follow. They can also monitor your phone activity, impersonating your loved one or using voice-mimicking technology to further sell the scam.
3. International Calls: Often, these scams originate from overseas, where scammers use burner phones or anonymous internet calls to avoid being traced. They may claim that your loved one was kidnapped while traveling, increasing your fear of the unknown. There are similar locally oriented scenarios that can target college students or young people living away from home.

Examples of Kidnapping Scams

It can seem very, very real. Here are two examples of how these scams can play out:

1. A Call from Nowhere: Maria receives a call from a sobbing voice that sounded like her daughter. The “kidnapper” demands $5,000, claiming he abducted her daughter from her school. In her panic, Maria was ready to transfer the money, but she paused and asked  for the family code word. The caller stumbled, and Maria hung up, realizing it was a scam. She later confirms her daughter was safe at school.
2. The Overseas Ruse: Matthew was on a business trip when he got a frantic call saying his son had been kidnapped while on vacation. The scammers knew his son’s name, age, and where he was staying—all gleaned from social media. Matthew stayed calm and immediately called his son, who answered, confused but unharmed

If you ever become the target of a kidnapping scam, it may be difficult to do in the moment but take a deep breath and remember this: most kidnapping schemes are actually scams. In reality, the callers don’t have your loved one at all. They rely on fear, urgency, and psychological manipulation to trick you into acting without thinking. The “kidnappers” count on your panic to pressure you into paying before you have time to verify the situation.

These criminals are experts in reading human psychology. They intentionally call at odd hours to catch you off guard. They use sounds of crying or shouting to trigger an immediate emotional reaction, hoping that you won’t stop to think rationally. But if you can stay calm, you can often spot the inconsistencies in their story.

Real kidnappers typically target wealthy individuals or high-profile figures where they can expect a significant ransom. In contrast, scammers cast a wide net, making hundreds of calls to average, everyday people see who they can deceive quickly. The fact that they demand instant payment via untraceable methods (like cryptocurrency or prepaid cards) is a strong indicator that it’s a scam. Real-life kidnappers don’t operate this way because they are more concerned with anonymity and proof of life.

The best defense against these scams is preparation. Here’s how you can safeguard your family:

1. Create a Code Word: As we illustrated in our first example of how these scams work, establishing a family code word that only you and your close relatives know can help you respond correctly in a kidnapping scenario. If someone is truly in danger, they can use this code word to confirm their identity. If a scammer calls, ask for the code word. If they can’t provide it, you can be pretty certain it’s fake.
2. Limit Social Media Sharing: This is particularly important: be cautious about posting sensitive information online. Kidnappers can extract personal details from your posts to make their scams more believable. Avoid revealing travel plans, family members’ names, or your daily routines.
3. Use Technology Wisely: Encourage your family to disable location services on their devices and use privacy settings on social media accounts. Consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) for secure internet browsing, especially when traveling. Create a Life 360 account for your loved ones so you can always see where they are and when they’re on the move.
4. Buy some Apple Air Tags: We don’t receive a commission on these, but it might bring you some peace of mind if you stick an air tag into the shoe, backpack, or bag of your child, spouse, or elderly relative.
5. Stay Connected: Make it a habit to check in with your loved ones regularly. Having open lines of communication makes it easier to verify their safety if you receive a suspicious call.

Stay Safe from Scams

Knowing how to react when you’re targeted is just as important as prevention. If you receive a call claiming a loved one has been kidnapped, follow these steps:

1. Stay Calm: Scammers rely on your emotional reaction. Take a deep breath and don’t rush to comply with their demands.
2. Ask Questions: Request specific details to verify the situation. Ask for the family code word, the location of the supposed kidnapping, or anything that only your loved one would know. Scammers will often struggle to provide accurate answers.
3. Verify the Caller: Use another phone or device to contact your loved one directly. Even if the caller insists you shouldn’t, a quick check can confirm their safety. If the loved one doesn’t answer, send a text message.
4. Do Not Make Immediate Payments: Scammers will pressure you to transfer money quickly, often via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, or wire transfers. This urgency is a red flag. Take your time to verify the situation before parting with any money.
5. Notify Authorities: If you suspect you’re being scammed, contact your local police or the FBI. Reporting the scam can prevent others from becoming a victim of the same scheme.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• The caller pressures you for immediate action, threatening violence if you hang up.
• They demand payment through non-traceable methods like cryptocurrency or prepaid cards.
• They refuse to provide proof of life, like a photo or video, even when requested.

While kidnapping scams are terrifying, knowledge is your best defense. By preparing in advance, you can protect your loved ones and outsmart the scammers. Trust your instincts, verify suspicious calls, and remember that scammers thrive on fear and urgency. By staying calm and asking the right questions, you can keep your family safe from these cruel schemes.