SAFETY ALERT: VIRTUAL KIDNAPPERS TARGETING SAN DIEGO FAMILIES

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Source: San Diego Community College District

October 27, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego Community College District has issued the following alert:  As many of you may already know, families across San Diego are receiving phone calls from “virtual kidnappers” claiming a loved one or family member has been kidnapped.  These criminals then demand a ransom amount (usually a few thousand dollars) that can be dropped off at a remote location (often in Tijuana) in exchange for the safe release and return of the “kidnapped” family member. The criminals’ phone numbers are often untraceable.

Please do not meet their demands!  This is a phone scam that local law enforcement and the FBI are investigating.  

What to do when you or your family member receives a similar phone call:

1.    Do not panic; play along so you can get details on what they want, and where to drop off the ransom.  Try and get any information that may be useful for law enforcement to investigate.

2.    Do not give them any personal and identifying information about yourself (e.g. names, social security number, credit card numbers, home addresses, etc.).

3.    Call your loved one immediately to ensure they are safe.  If you cannot reach them for some reason, call 911 immediately and inform the police what just happened.

4.    Always contact the police immediately after to report the incident.

If the person whom the criminals claim is “kidnapped” goes to school at any of our community college campuses, after you report this to your local police department, the parent/spouse/loved one can always contact College Police by phone or in person  at any of our police stations on campus and asking for additional assistance.  We can provide escorts for you or your loved one to the campus parking lots.  We can also coordinate the investigation with the local police department  to whom you have reported this crime.


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