Caller Tries to Extort Money from Woman, Said Her Husband Was Being Held Hostage: Police

EAST HAMPTON, NY - An East Hampton woman was the victim of a phone scam when a caller demanded money and told her that her husband was being held hostage, police said.

According to East Hampton Village Police, the victim, a local woman, received the call on her cell phone at 10 a.m. Friday from someone trying to extort money.

She was able to discreetly contact police while keeping the caller on the line; police were able to locate the woman's husband, who was safe, and confirm that the caller was not in the area, authorities said.

The identity of the victim and on the origin of the call are not being released pending further investigation into the attempted grand larceny, police said.