FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A Fort Collins woman nearly fell victim to what police are saying was likely another case of a “virtual kidnapping” scam Friday morning.
Gina Scott received a phone call Friday morning from someone purporting to be an EMT that her daughter had been involved in a crash with a motorcyclist.
The “EMT” handed the phone over to another man, who said he was the father of the motorcyclist and that Scott needed to wire him money for his “son’s” medical expenses or she “wouldn’t see [her] daughter again.”
The person on the phone asked Scott to meet him at a local Walmart, so Scott called her friend to follow her there. Scott’s friend called police.
Shortly afterward, Scott found out her daughter was actually safe and sound in school, and that she had almost fallen victim to the scam, which police in Denver, Arvada and Boulder have warned about in recent months.
“I’m so angry they played on my emotions,” Scott told Denver7. “The minute that you hear your daughter is in trouble, all of your sense go and all you can think about is helping her and getting her back safe.”
Fort Collins police say they have yet to determine the origin or the identity of the caller. The department advises people not to answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers, as was the case for the person who called Scott.
The police department also advises people not to wire anyone money or send them gift cards if they contact you over the phone.
Anyone who suspects they are receiving calls from scammers should report the calls here.
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