Texas Officials Want You To Watch Out For the 'Ransom Scam'

Get our free mobile app

Law enforcement officials in Texas have issued a stark warning for residents to be on the look out for the latest in a long line of scams designed to separate you from your hard-earned money. Unlike previous scams that prey on victims with easily dismissed claims, this one is just pure evil.

According to a report from KXAN, Cedar Park Police and the San Marcos Police Department have been fielding calls from residents who have become targets of what police are calling a "Ransom Scam." In this particular con, the criminals are targeting the elderly and telling them that someone they love dearly has been kidnapped and will be killed unless they pay up.

The latest example of this horrible crime comes from Cedar Park, Texas. An unnamed elderly couple got a call that started with a woman screaming followed by a man who claimed to be part of a cartel that was threatening to kill their granddaughter unless they paid a hefty ransom. Luckily, they were able to reach out to the girl's mother (their daughter) who in turn called the supposed kidnap victim. The young lady answered the call from her understandably upset mother and was able to confirm that she was at home and in no danger at all. Once the con man on the other end of the phone was found out, he hung up.

According to Cedar Park Detective Anthony Bridgewater, these criminals are specifically targeting people with grandchildren. In an interview with KXAN, Bridgewater had this to say:

They’re preying on the grandparents and they’re using that is grandparents gonna want to protect their grandkids

According to the Cedar Park police, 3 such incidences have occurred in the last month.

Have You Seen Any of These 44 Missing East Texas People?

Losing someone is hard, but when they go missing without a trace - it's even harder. The family and friends of these 44 people are desperate for any information that could bring their loved ones home or at least give them some closure. If you have any information at all that could lead authorities to their whereabouts, please contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse by calling (800) 346-3243

Can You Help Solve Any of These 24 East Texas Cold Cases?

Crime is a terrible thing. Luckily, we've got a dedicated group of police officers and investigators that work around to the clock to bring those responsible for breaking the law to justice. Unfortunately, not every case is closed. Authorities in East Texas are hoping that someone might have a key piece of information that could help them crack these 24 cold cases wide open. If you know anything, please reach out to the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000, or Tyler Smith County Crime-Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

Have You Seen Any of These 19 Missing Shreveport/Bossier People?

Hundreds of people go missing every year in Louisiana. While the vast majority of those missing persons cases are solved, some have never come home. That means the friends and family members who miss them are still searching for their lost loved ones, or at least for information on what happened to them. If you've seen any of these people or might have some information that could shed light on why they went missing or what might have happened to them - contact the FACES laboratory at (225) 578-4761.

Filed Under: Texas