There are scammers trying to make money in all ways and a new modality is known as "a scam". Virtual Kidnap Ransom,” which Beth Royce fell for sending $500 to the scammer claiming to have kidnapped her sister.
Woman falls for virtual kidnapping ransom scam and loses $500
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There are several types of scams, like those we are used to, which promise miraculous earnings of money through emails with viruses or calls requesting personal data. However, scammers can be even more vicious than that, as in the case of the virtual kidnapping ransom scam.
This type of scam uses emotional blackmail and the emergency situation so that people transfer money without thinking much about it. Scammers claim to have kidnapped a loved one and thus manage to deceive the victims.
The Beth Royce Case
Beth Royce is a woman who posted a video on Tiktok recounting her experience of losing $500 to scammers. According to her, it all started when she received a call from her sister's phone number early in the morning, around 7:20 am. However, when she answered the call, she realized that it wasn't her sister's voice on the other end of the line.
She stated, “It was her face that appeared on my phone. It sounded exactly like my sister was calling… So I answered and it was a man's voice on the other end of the line yelling at me.” The scammer informed Beth that he was holding her sister hostage and that she was not to contact anyone, least of all the authorities.
Beth said she doesn't usually fall for virtual scams, but this one felt very real. She also stated that she heard muffled sobs in the background, which sounded like a woman crying. Beth then became very concerned and decided to send the money requested by the scammer.
Time to ask for money
After a few minutes of trying to smooth things over, the scammer finally asked for the money and said he needed it because he had just gotten out of prison and was trying to go home.
As the situation unfolded, Royce says she heard sobs in the background of the call and him saying things like, “‘I’m going to get money from your sister, and then everything will be fine. I'll let you go,'" Royce said.
After that, she says that she ended up sending the money and her mother tried to contact her sister who soon answered the phone, making Royce realize that it was nothing more than a scam.
How to act in these cases
Fake kidnapping scams have become increasingly common, and many people end up falling into this type of trap, losing money and being exposed to risky situations. Therefore, it is important to take some precautions to avoid falling victim to these criminals.
The first tip is to keep calm and verify the veracity of the information. If you receive a call from someone claiming to have kidnapped a relative of yours, try to remain calm and contact the person who was allegedly kidnapped to make sure everything is okay.
It is important not to give out personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, and not to transfer money without first verifying the accuracy of the information.
Another important tip is not to answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers. Criminals often use fake numbers to try to deceive victims, so it's important to keep an eye out for this type of detail.
In addition, it is important not to disclose personal information on social networks, such as daily routines, frequented places and personal data of family members. Criminals use this information to plan and execute scams, so it's critical to remain vigilant in this regard.
If you suspect any situation, seek help immediately. Inform the authorities and report the scam, so others can be protected. It's also important to keep up to date on the scams that are in circulation, to be able to identify them more easily.
