A Yavapai County mother told officials an unknown man demanded money in exchange for her 8-year-old daughter.
Prescott Valley, Arizona – Officials in Yavapai County are warning residents to beware of scammers who may be trying to defraud parents out of money under the guise of kidnapping.
The mother contacted the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office on April 10 after receiving a troubling call from a Spanish-speaking man claiming he had kidnapped his 8-year-old daughter in Prescott Valley.
The man demanded money from the mother in exchange for the return of his daughter. During the call, I heard a girl’s voice over the phone.
The sheriff’s office was able to confirm that the mother’s daughter was safe and that no actual kidnapping had occurred. Investigators were unable to trace the phone number the scammer called.
The YCSO reported that it received another report in March from a resident of Black Canyon City who received a phone call from someone making similar threats and demanding money. I quickly realized the threat was a scam as the resident had no children.
“We urge everyone to be aware of these scams and to exercise caution when receiving calls or messages regarding kidnappings or requests for money,” the YCSO said in a statement.
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