Phoenix Police report phone calls claiming false kidnappings

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department has recently experienced a series of phone calls linked to fake kidnappings.

According to police, victims will receive a call from an unknown number, likely placed through an Internet-based source to make tracking the phone call more difficult.

The suspect will contact the victim and claim to have one of their family members. The suspect uses conversational cues to gain personal information from the victim to make the scenario seem more plausible.

The suspect then demands a ransom to secure the release of the “kidnapped” family member.

Phoenix Police are currently working to identify the suspect or suspects involved. They urge anyone who receives a call of this nature to immediately verify that the family member in question is safe and to the contact authorities.

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