Virtual Kidnapping Scam Strikes Two Residents in Manassas: Police

MANASSAS, VA — Two residents earlier this month received phone calls from an unknown man claiming he had kidnapped their daughters and demanded money for their release, and both calls were completely bogus, according to Prince William County Police.

In both incidents, the victims of the abduction phone scams said they heard what sounded like a young woman in distress in the background.

On Dec. 14, a resident in the 9000 block of Euclid Street reported the suspicious call, and police immediately made contact with two daughters, both of whom were safe and had no knowledge of any abduction attempt.

On Dec. 9. officers responded to Wells Fargo at 9210 Church Street, where bank employees said a Chantilly man had just withdrawn withdrawn a large amount of money while also asking them to contact the police. With help from Fairfax County Police, the daughter was contacted and found to be safe at home.

Last spring, Fairfax County Police noted the virtual kidnapping scam had been trending, and will help from the FBI offered tips on what to do if confronted with such a situation.

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