A sophisticated and terrifying ransom scam

It’s one of the most terrifying scams we’ve heard of and local people are being targeted.

Now, Amelia, a local victim, is sharing what happened to her and the details of this scam will leave you stunned.

She gets a call in the night. Her mother’s terrified voice on the line.

And then a man takes the phone and says, “I have your mom. I swear to God I’ll kill her.”

She thought her mom was in danger.

911 Operator: “You think someone’s in the home with your mother?”

Amelia: “Someone’s definitely in the home with my mother.”

You’d do anything to protect your family, right? And it’s such a sophisticated scam even our own Hank Winchester says he thinks he would have fallen for it.

Help Me Hank reveals what happened next, and what to do if you become the target of this cruel con.

Watch Thursday on Local 4 News at 5 p.m.


About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Donna is a Creative Services producer.