“Kidnapping Scam” Comes to Washington

Law Enforcement in Washington State is warning the public of a "kidnapping scam" that has come to the area. People are receiving phone calls telling them their child has been kidnapped and the caller demands a ransom.

One such call was received by a 65-year old Everett man on March 5th. The caller told the victim that his 23 year old daughter had been kidnapped and demanded a $30,000 ransom. The male caller stated that if the victim didn't pay, his daughter would be "left on the side of a road with a bullet hole in her." The victim told police he could hear the sounds of a female crying in the background. The victim's daughter was located in Marysville and was unaware of the kidnapping claim.

The calls that have been made to Snohomish County came from numbers with 525 and 528 area codes, or from another Mexico area code. All victims were able to confirm that their family members were safe and accounted for.

If you receive such a call try to write down the phone number of the caller, then hang up the phone. If you cannot immediately verify the whereabouts and/or the safety of family members the suspects have claimed to have kidnapped, call 911.