Kidnapping scam prevented in Monterey County, deputies say

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said a kidnapping scam was prevented after deputies received reports from a local bank late Friday morning.

Investigators said the bank shared the report after a client said she was there to withdraw money to free her daughter from a kidnapping.

Deputies responding said the potential scam victim was on the phone with the suspects who were initially demanding $10,000.

The suspects also claimed they were watching the scam victim from the parking lot, causing her to fear for her safety.

Investigators said they worked to make contact with the victim's adult daughter and were able to confirm she was safe.

Efforts to trace the call of the scam artists didn't work because deputies say their number was masked by "online technology" concealing their location.

The suspects asked the victim to wire transfer $1,000 because the victim said she didn't have the initial money that was demanded. They then asked the victim to drive to a local store before ending the call.

The sheriff's office said the victim never wire transferred the money and is safe.

The sheriff's office reminds people if you have been a victim of a phone scam and lost money, contact your local law enforcement agency to report it.

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