Sheriff's Office Warns Against Kidnapping Phone Scam

CANTON, GA — The Cherokee Sheriff's Office would like to warn citizens about another scam.

Monday afternoon, deputies responded to a call on Nations Drive in Canton. A man at the residence received a phone call stating his granddaughter had been involved in some type of accident and that they had taken her. They told the man to go to Publix. He could hear a female crying in the background, Sheriff's Office Director of Communications Jay Baker said.

Deputies arrived on the scene and quickly determined this was a scam and confirmed that by making contact with the granddaughter who was fine. The call came from a number that originates from Mexico, Baker said. That same number is associated with several kidnapping scams where the suspect demands money be wired in exchange for the safe return of the family member, he said.

It's presumed that the suspect wanted the would-be victim to respond to Publix because money can be wired from those grocery stores, Baker said.

No one was harmed and no money was lost from yesterday's incident. Should anyone get a similar call, the Sheriff's Office recommends calling 911 immediately.