Imagine this: you’re out running errands, your phone rings, and suddenly your world flips upside down.

That’s precisely what happened to Douglas, a 65-year-old retiree from Panama City, Florida. While driving to the store, he picked up a call from an unknown number—and immediately heard a young woman screaming, “Dad, I need your help!”

Before he could process it, another voice jumped in. This time it was a man’s voice, distorted and threatening. He claimed Douglas’s daughter, Ashley, had caused a car accident. Worse, he said she was being held by MS-13 gang members until Douglas paid a $5,000 ransom for damages. As if the ransom demand wasn’t enough, the caller described Ashley’s appearance, her car, and her husband by name—details that left Douglas shaken and convinced the threat was real.

“Don’t put this on speaker. Don’t hang up. Do exactly what I say—or your daughter dies.”

The “Virtual Kidnapping” Scam in Action

The caller ordered Douglas to drive straight to a specific Walmart and send money through a transfer service. Shaken and desperate to save his daughter, Douglas followed the instructions. His bank only allowed him $1,000 cash per day, but he managed to scrape together what he could—$700 at the first location and $300 at the second. Each time, he begged the caller not to hurt his daughter.

Finally, the caller instructed him to wait at a particular Kroger for Ashley’s return. Douglas waited nearly an hour: no daughter, no more calls. The caller’s number was dead.

In tears, Douglas finally called Ashley directly. She calmly picked up the call and advised her dad she was safe and working from home. The entire ordeal was a scam, powered by fear and manipulation, preying on a father’s desperation to save his daughter.

What Happened Here?

This is what’s known as a virtual kidnapping scam (learn more here). Criminals don’t actually have your loved one—they’re counting on panic to cloud your judgment. Sometimes, they’ll use AI-generated voices that eerily resemble the person they’re pretending to be. Other times, they rely on chaos and urgency.

Sadly, Douglas’s story isn’t an anomaly. Reports of older adults losing thousands (even tens of thousands) to schemes like this are climbing fast. In 2024, people 60 and older lost nearly $5 billion to online and phone fraud scams, according to the FBI. And the “grandparent” or “family emergency” scams are among the most devastating.

The Aftermath

Douglas’s story had a “safe ending,” but not without financial and emotional damage. The ordeal was a calculus of despair; he was traumatized and embarrassed. Like many crime victims, Douglas did not report his ordeal to the police, but Ashley did. She filed a complaint with the FBI, along with the caller’s phone number, Douglas’s transfer receipts, and the transfer destination mobile number (a burner with a Mexican country code). The investigation is pending.

The takeaway? Scammers are clever, ruthless, and increasingly using technology and social engineering to exploit victims’ heartstrings. Like most hustlers, they come prepared to swindle their victims. Scammers work from a script, and they’re rehearsed for almost any victim response. They obtain personal information from online sources including the dark web to make their schemes appear more authentic. In Douglas’s case, they knew his address, age, family members, their addresses, employers, and more.

Awareness is the first defense—so share this with friends and family, especially older adults who may be more vulnerable.

How to Protect Yourself (and Loved Ones)

• Pause before you panic. Scammers thrive on fear and urgency. Take a breath.
• Call back. If someone claims to have your loved one, hang up and call them-or another trusted family member-directly.
• Set a safe word. Families can agree on a simple code word to confirm emergencies.
• Never send money in unusual ways. Wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency are red flags.
• Report it. Contact the FTC or the FBI’s IC3 if you’re targeted.
• Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.
• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, gold or other precious metals, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
• Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.

Scammers count on silence to maintain an edge. If you or someone you know been targeted, share what happened in the comments—help spread awareness and keep others safe. Together, let’s shine a light on these schemes and make it harder for scammers to hide.

Looking to better understand fraud and scams? Visit Senior Planet’s dedicated resource page at seniorplanet.org/scam-prevention. If you or a loved one has been targeted by a scam or fraud, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline: 877-908-3360. Learn more at aarp.org/fraud.

Deborah Reale is a digital marketing and communications consultant specializing in social media, analytics, content writing, and editing. Ms. Reale has written for Business Development Magazine, Construction Industry Today, and quoted in Investor’s Business Daily and the book Social Media in Action. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate degree in business administration.

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