Family member kidnapped or in distress scam

A worried woman on the phone, representing victims of grandparent scams

You get a call: “Grandma, I need money for bail.” Or maybe an email from someone claiming to be a relative or a friend who says they have been kidnapped.  Or they are in trouble and need money for a medical bill or another emergency. The caller says it’s urgent — and tells you to keep it a secret. But is the caller really who you think it is? Scammers are good at pretending to be someone they’re not, using information from social networking sites to create a realistic scenario.

These impersonation scams encompass a range of deceptive practices that exploit the emotional ties within families, targeting individuals with fraudulent distress calls from supposed relatives. These scams often include variations like virtual kidnapping, grandparents' scams, or grandkids' scams. They typically involve a fraudster posing as a family member, friend, associate, or loved one facing an urgent but fabricated crisis.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) enabled voice synthesis technology can be employed to mimic the voice of a specific family member. This makes the scam phone call sound more convincing, potentially fooling the target into believing they are genuinely speaking with their relative.  AI-powered chatbots or automated text messaging systems can send convincing and urgent messages, providing a layer of automation to the scam. While not prevalent yet, deep-fake technology, which uses AI to create realistic fake videos, can fabricate scenarios involving a family member in distress. This could include video calls or messages designed to deceive the target.  

To alert others about this scam, you can download and print this flyer False Voices Real Dangers.

  • Urgent Distress Call: Scammers make urgent calls claiming to be someone you care about, facing legal, travel, or medical issues.
  • Request for Secrecy: Scammers insist on secrecy to prevent the target from consulting other family members.
  • Payment Requests: Fraudsters ask for in-person cash pick-ups,  cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift card payments to resolve the supposed crisis quickly. 
  • Inconsistencies in Story: Be wary of inconsistencies in the caller's story, such as changes in details or vague information about their identity.
  • Verify Caller's Identity: Confirm the caller's identity by asking personal questions only the real grandchild would know.
  • Call the alleged victim or family member via another means of communication. 
  • Stay Calm and Collected: Resist emotional manipulation; think critically before taking action.
  • Avoid Immediate Transactions: Refrain from making immediate financial transactions; take time to verify the situation.
  • Educate Elderly Family Members: Inform grandparents about the scam and advise skepticism towards unexpected calls requesting money.
  • Agree on a Safe Word:  If you have reason for heightened concern about this scam, agree on a safe word to alert the target that the call is legitimate. 
  • Report to Authorities: Contact local law enforcement and provide details of the scam, including information about the scammer.
  • Inform Financial Institutions: If money was transferred, report the incident to the bank or financial institution used for the transaction.
  • Seek Support: Reach out to support organizations specializing in fraud and scams for guidance and resources to cope with the aftermath.

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