Kidnapping Scam Calls Target Marin County Parents

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Authorities are warning residents about a kinapping scam that has hit Marin County.

A resident reported receiving a phone call on her cellphone Wednesday afternoon where the caller claimed that her child had been kidnapped and demanded ransom, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

This scam has been happening in the area, officials said. A parent typically receives a call from the country code 52, which is Mexico, and the caller claims the victim's child has been abducted.

"The fake kidnapper will put a someone who sounds like a child on the phone that will yell 'help' or cry out. This will undoubtedly put the parent into a panic," sheriff's Lt. Steve de la O said. "The scammer will tell the parent to drive to a bank and withdraw as much cash as possible, then head to a Western Union branch to buy a MoneyGram."

The scammer instructed the victim Wednesday to not disconnect the phone call, receive any phone calls or make any phone calls, or their child would be harmed, de la O said.

"The scam preys on the fear of the parent and constant threats to harm the child if the parent doesn't cooperate quickly," he said.

In this case, a co-worker of the victim witnessed the call and contacted the sheriff's office. An alert security guard at the bank also sensed something was wrong when the woman attempted to withdraw money, de la O said.

Authorities verified the child was safe at school.

"Be wary of unfamiliar phone calls to your cellphone, especially calls from Mexico if you don't have any contacts there," de la O said. "If you receive one of these calls, alert someone to call 911 immediately to verify your loved one is safe."

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