Scammers Trick Local Mother, Son Into Thinking The Other Had Been Kidnapped

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Police are warning residents of a kidnapping scam after a local mother and her son were tricked into thinking the other had been kidnapped for ransom, police announced Monday.

According to the release from the Burlington Police Department, a local woman reported to the police station on Aug. 17 claiming kidnappers had called her demanding ransom money for her son. Police promptly located the son, and determined not only his safety but that he had received the same call regarding his mother.

"In the past year, phone scams have become more calculated, causing people to fear for the lives of their loved ones and, in turn, become a victim of the scam," Burlington Police Chief Michael Kent said in a statement. "We urge all community members to think critically when they receive one of these phone calls, and call the police if you are being scammed."

Police say the scammers recorded both voices and played them back to the other party to verify their claims. Police believe that scammers identified the two involved parties as mother and son through social media accounts, according to the release

The son did wire transfer money to the callers, but attempted to cancel the transaction after learning of the scam. According to the release, the scammers reported a false weapons threat at the money transfer location so that the victim could not stop the transfer.

Burlington Police offered tips to anyone who receives a call such as this claiming to have kidnapped a family member or loved one:

• Keep calm and THINK -- kidnapping is a difficult crime to execute, and is not common in Burlington or surrounding areas.
• Get help right away -- contact friends or relatives, and call the police.
• Ask for proof that your loved one is alive -- ask to speak to your loved one directly or for a picture to be sent to you via text or email.
• Keep the caller talking -- the more you can stall for time, the better.
• Never send money overseas.

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