(09:20) Watsonville – This month alone, there have been 3 reported “Virtual Kidnappings” by victims in Watsonville. The Watsonville Police Department reported the following are possible indicators that the call you receive may be a scam: Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone, insisting you remain on the line. Calls do not come from the supposed victim’s phone. Callers try to prevent you from contacting the “kidnapped” victim. Calls include demands for ransom money to be paid via wire transfer to Mexico; ransom amount demands may drop quickly. The public is encouraged to notify authorities if you suspect a real kidnapping is taking place or you believe a ransom demand is a scheme.
