North Vancouver RCMP warn of ‘virtual kidnapping’ scam

North Vancouver RCMP is warning of a unique scam involving a ‘virtual kidnapping’ that caused panic for one victim.

Police say on Tuesday, a North Vancouver man received a phone call from someone claiming to have kidnapped his wife. Mounties say the caller demanded a ransom be paid or his wife would be harmed.

@nvanrcmp are investigating a virtual kidnapping that occurred yesterday and are warning the public about these types of scams

Read our release for more info: https://t.co/Y6em4jbrrs pic.twitter.com/sDPDREkErD

— North Vancouver RCMP (@nvanrcmp) November 23, 2022

RCMP says the call appeared to be coming from the victim’s wife’s phone, with a woman’s voice heard in the background pretending to be the man’s wife. Police say the caller was demanding a ransom be paid via e-transfer.

The scam, Mounties say, is called “virtual kidnapping,” and often tricks family members into thinking a loved one was abducted and could be harmed should ransom not be paid. Police warn scammers may order victims to not contact family, friends or law enforcement.

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North Vancouver RCMP Cst. Mansoor Sahak says officers worked to confirm the safety of the victim’s wife.

“It was determined that the kidnapping was a hoax and the fraudsters had used technology to make the victim think the call was coming from his wife’s personal phone,” he said. “We treat these types of investigations as serious until such time we have information that it’s not a real kidnapping. These investigations are complex and draw in a lot of resources.”

If you happen to receive a call like this, here’s what to do:

• Do not comply with the caller’s demands.
• Hang up the phone and report the incident to your local police.
• Never give out personal information over the telephone.
• Warn your loved ones about this elaborate fraud.