Crime & Safety
Kidnapping Scammers Target Watsonville
Scammers falsely claim to have kidnapped a family member and ask them to wire money for ransom, police said.
WATSONVILLE, CA — Watsonville residents have been targeted by phone scammers falsely claiming a family member has been kidnapped and demanding payment this week, police said.
The scammers use phone numbers in Mexico and ask people to wire them money to cover a fake ransom. Residents have lost thousands this week, the Watsonville Police Department said Thursday in a statement to the public.
Police urge the public to hang up and call the police, and not give them any money.
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
More tips on protecting yourself can be found at the video below, courtesy of Watsonville police:
Find out what's happening in Watsonvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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