Santa Ana family victimized by a fake kidnapping extortion scam

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Crime Alert -Extortion And Kidnapping Scam

The Santa Ana Police Department is investigating an extortion scam in which the suspect(s) claim to have kidnapped a victim’s family members. On 12/29/16, the victim received a telephone call from an unknown male that claimed to have kidnapped the victim’s daughter. The victim heard a female voice in the background which she believed was her daughter’s. The suspect demanded a $500 ransom from the victim before they would release her daughter. Out of concern for her daughter’s safety, the victim remained on the call with the suspect while she responded to a local wire transfer business where she electronically transferred the funds to the suspect(s).

The victim soon discovered her daughter had not been kidnapped and the suspect fabricated the entire story. Consequently, the Santa Ana Police Department is investigating this case as a felony extortion. While there was no danger to the victim’s daughter, the Santa Ana Police Department urges members of the public to exercise caution when receiving similar threats.

Anyone receiving similar calls or who has information concerning this incident is asked to contact SAPD Detective A. Garcia at 714-245-8408, AGarcia3@santa-ana.org, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.