Governor Layda Sansores of Campeche has alerted the public to two recent cases of virtual kidnapping and urged residents to follow recommendations to avoid falling victim to this type of extortion.
During her weekly “Tuesday of Jaguar” conference, Governor Sansores reported on the two incidents, emphasizing that virtual kidnappings are often orchestrated from prisons.
What is Virtual Kidnapping and How to Avoid It?
In the first case, a 16-year-old girl received a call instructing her to leave her house without informing anyone and go to a park. There, the extortionists demanded personal information about her relatives, which she provided. The criminals then contacted the girl’s grandmother, demanding a ransom of 50,000 pesos for her release.
The second case involved four employees of a company. They received a call ordering them to leave their work and go to a hotel to take a photo. The extortionists threatened to harm their relatives if they did not comply. The company’s director, upon receiving a call demanding 500,000 pesos for the supposed release of his workers, contacted the authorities. Fortunately, the police located the employees and confirmed they were not kidnapped but had been victims of a telephone threat.
Governor Sansores stressed the importance of not panicking and following certain recommendations to avoid becoming a victim of virtual kidnappings.
How to Avoid a Virtual Kidnapping
The Secretariat for Citizen Protection and Security (SPSC) of Campeche has issued several recommendations to prevent this type of extortion:
– Identify Suspicious Numbers: If you receive a call from an unknown number, hang up immediately.
– Do Not Share Personal Information: Avoid providing personal or financial information over the phone.
– Maintain Constant Communication: Keep in regular contact with your family and friends so they always know your location and status.
– Report: In the event of any incident, immediately contact the 9-1-1 emergency line.
The SPSC also recommends staying informed about common telephone scam variants and discussing these security measures with your loved ones to be prepared for any eventuality.
Source: Por Esto
