PANAJI
With numerous fake calls being made to parents about their child’s arrest or involvement in serious offences, the Cyber Crime Cell of Goa Police is inundated with complaints. The police have thus issued an advisory cautioning people against “virtual kidnapping or cyber kidnapping scams”.
“These days, the state Cyber Police station is receiving complaints from parents about phone calls claiming that their child has been kidnapped or is in police custody, demanding money for their release. This type of scam is known as a ‘cyber/virtual kidnapping’ scam,” reads a statement issued by SP Rahul Gupta.
The Cyber Crime Cell has detailed the criminals’ modus operandi as well as listing out precautions parents should take to avoid falling into the trap.
CM Pramod Sawant has asked people to remain alert, to not panic and immediately take police assistance.
Modus Operandi
Initial Contact: The scammer calls the target (in this case, parents) from a number, often with a foreign country code such as +92 (Pakistan) or any other foreign country number generated through VPN.
Threat: The scammer claims that their child has been kidnapped, involved in an accident, or is in police custody etc.
Demand for Money: The scammer then demands money in exchange for the child’s safety or release, often creating a sense of urgency and fear to compel the parents to act quickly without verifying the information.
Emotional Manipulation: The scammer may use specific details or background noises to make the threat seem more credible.
Steps for Parents
to Take
Stay Calm: It’s crucial to remain calm and composed.
Verify the Claim: Try to contact the child directly through their known phone number or via other family members or friends.
Do Not Pay: Avoid sending any money or complying with the scammer’s demands.
Document the Call: Take note of the caller’s number, the time of the call, and any details of the conversation.
Report to Authorities: Contact local police or cybercrime units to report the incident. They can provide guidance and investigate the matter further. Report the said incident on https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/Home/sfc-complaint.jsp portal developed by the Department of Telecommunications to block the said phone number permanently so that it can’t target any other victim.
Inform Others: Raise awareness among friends and family to prevent them from falling victim to similar scams.
Preventive Measures
Privacy Settings: Adjust privacy settings on social media to limit who can see personal information.
Educate Family Members: Inform all family members about such scams and encourage them to be cautious with unsolicited calls.
Use Call Blocking: Consider using call-blocking features or apps to block suspicious numbers, especially those from high-risk country codes.
