Citation

Nuzback K. Tex. Med. 2014; 110(11): 43-46.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Texas Medical Assn)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

25416832

Abstract

Virtual kidnappers attempt to extort money from their victims by saying they've kidnapped a member of the victim's family. While no actual kidnapping occurred, the callers use coconspirators, who sometimes scream for help in the background, to convince their victims of the legitimacy of the threat. During June and July of this year, the FBI received multiple reports indicating physicians in McAllen, Laredo, Brownsville, and Del Rio were contacted in attempts to collect extortion payments in "virtual kidnapping" schemes.

Language: en