Boulder Police are warning the public of a kidnapping scam that is targeting residents in Boulder.
According to police, a Boulder man received a call from a phone number that originated out of Mexico. The unidentified caller told the victim that a group was holding his daughter hostage and demanded money for her release.
The caller then put a female on the line who was yelling and crying, saying that she had been kidnapped. The victim believed this voice was his daughter's and sent $1,500 through Western Union to an account in Mexico.
Police say that after the transaction was complete, the man found out his daughter had not been kidnapped.
Police suggest the following if you receive a similar call:
- Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask 'How do I know my loved one is okay?"
- If the person doesn't let you speak to the victim, ask the caller to describe the victim.
- Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim, if he or she speaks.
- Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social media. Request that the victim call back from his or her cell phone.
- While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
- To buy time, repeat the caller's request and say that 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.
Police are asking anyone with information about this kidnapping scam to call the Boulder Police Department at 303-441-3333.