CHICAGO—Emmerson Buie, Jr., special agent-in-charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation—Chicago Division, is warning the public about virtual kidnapping scams targeting families in Illinois and across the nation. Though virtual kidnapping scams have occurred for at least two decades, this scam has recently evolved to exploit new vulnerabilities.
The current abundance of affordable international travel deals combined with the widespread use of social media has created a fertile environment for virtual kidnapping scams. Virtual kidnappers scour the Internet for targets by searching for social media posts by international travelers. Scammers then contact the target’s loved ones claiming to have taken the target hostage. Family members are coerced into paying a ransom quickly to ensure the target’s release. In reality, the target was never in physical danger. By the time the family members realize they have been victimized, the ransom money is gone.
Virtual kidnappers can be very convincing, often representing themselves as members of drug cartels or corrupt law enforcement. Victims may hear screams in the background of a call, but virtual kidnappers have been known to use recordings to sound more realistic. Virtual kidnappers often request payment via wire transfer and push victims to act quickly.
FBI Chicago offers the following tips to help prevent virtual kidnapping scams:
- Never post news of upcoming travel dates and locations online.
- Discuss virtual…