The Aberdeen Police Department is warning residents about extortion, virtual-kidnapping and fraudulent-warrant scams targeting members of the community.
Police say scammers may use spoofed telephone numbers, graphic images and manipulated or AI-generated voices to create fear and pressure victims into sending money.
Scammers may imitate relatives or officers
In a virtual-kidnapping scheme, a target may hear what sounds like a relative crying or asking for help. The caller then claims the relative has been kidnapped and threatens violence unless payment is made.
Other callers falsely claim that a warrant has been issued or that the victim missed jury duty. They may use the name of a real officer and manipulate caller identification to display a law-enforcement number.
Pause and verify before responding
Police advise residents not to send money or provide personal or financial information during an unsolicited call.
Anyone receiving an alarming demand should hang up and contact the relative directly using a trusted number. Law-enforcement claims should be checked by calling a department number found independently, rather than one supplied by the caller.
Source: Sandhills Sentinel.
