An alert sent from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station warned residents about virtual kidnapping scams reported in the community.
“The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station would like to warn the local community about new phone scams that have been occurring in which victims are receiving threatening phone calls in an attempt to scam money from them,” the notification said.
In addition to the warning, deputies have recorded reports of phone calls received by residents in which the caller details a kidnapping of a close family member, followed by a request for money in exchange for the safe return of the relative.
“In some of the cases reported, the caller warns that the family member be killed unless a ransom is paid,” according to the notification.
Phone scam suspects give instructions on where to wire money to a third party, which is often outside of the country. In some cases, suspects use accomplices to scream and cry in the background, to further alarm the receiver of the phone call.
In the cases reported so far, money was not exchanged and residents reported the incidents to authorities who are actively investigating the scam phone calls.
In the event of receiving a scam phone call, authorities ask to not send money and instead call 911 or the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station immediately at 818.878.1808.