Kidnap Fraud

What is Kidnap Fraud?

Kidnap Fraud is where fraudsters call you, claiming that your loved ones have been kidnapped, and try to get a sum of money from you in return for their safety.

How Kidnap Fraud works

• You receive calls from unknown callers, claiming that your loved ones have been kidnapped.
• You are asked to make a transfer of money, or to place the ransom in a specific location in exchange for your loved one’s safety.

What should you do if you receive such calls?

• Remain calm and contact your loved ones and family immediately, to check if it is true. If repeated attempts at contacting your loved ones or family fail, you should call the police for help as soon as possible.
• If you receive such calls, you can also pose questions to the ‘kidnapper’, and try to find out if the call is genuine, by verifying the identity of the kidnapped victim. For example, the number of family members staying together with the victim, or whether there are pets in the house.

How can you guard against Kidnap Fraud?

• Keep a list of numbers of your loved one's close friends, family or colleagues, so that if the situation ever arises, you can easily contact them to verify if the kidnap claims are true.

• Stay calm and contact your loved ones and family members to verify the situation first, if you should receive such calls.
• Call the police for help if repeated attempts to reach your loved ones and family fail.