[MCPS] kidnapping scam

[Anonymous]

From: [e-mail] [mailto:[e-mail]] On Behalf Of 'Smith, Michael C' [e-mail] [MHSnews]
Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:05 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [MHSnews] Message from Mr. Evans


Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to inform you about an extortion phone scam that is impacting our community.

In the last week, multiple MCPS families have been targeted by what is known as a virtual kidnapping scam. The scam begins with community members receiving a call from an unfamiliar number, often from an international area code. When the call is picked up, community members have reported that they have heard screaming sounds in the background and a message from the caller claiming that they have the person’s child and intend to do the child harm unless ransom is paid. [Read more about the scam from WTOP.]

National and local enforcement are aware of the scam. The Montgomery County Police Department has provided the following advice:

· Do not wire money.

· Contact your child’s school.

· Contact the police via 911 or on the non-emergency number, 301-279-8000.



The FBI has also provided guidance to help community members avoid becoming a victim of this scam. This guidance can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/us-citizens-threatened-by-mexican-virtual-kidnapping-scheme

Please do not hesitate to contact our school if you receive this call. The safety of our students is a top priority.

Thank you,
Lee Evans
Principal

[Anonymous]

Yikes, that's terrifying!

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/we-have-your-daughter-a-virtual-kidnapping-and-a-mothers-five-hours-of-hell/2016/10/03/8f082690-8963-11e6-875e-2c1bfe943b66_story.html?utm_term=.683c52dd0952

My friend received a similar call, except that they mentioned his wife by name and said they had kidnapped her. He was able to message his wife and confirm her safety -- total scam. Washington post had a story on this.

[Anonymous]

Just read about this on our Listserv.

Where are they getting the kids names?? I hope they can track that down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/we-have-your-daughter-a-virtual-kidnapping-and-a-mothers-five-hours-of-hell/2016/10/03/8f082690-8963-11e6-875e-2c1bfe943b66_story.html?utm_term=.683c52dd0952

My friend received a similar call, except that they mentioned his wife by name and said they had kidnapped her. He was able to message his wife and confirm her safety -- total scam. Washington post had a story on this.

I wold have said keep her, and thank you

[Anonymous]

Funny, I just received a FaceTime call by a 301 number I had never seen before. It was obviously in a bathroom but the phone was being held up high and no one's face was shown on the screen. I didn't answer it and they didn't call back. Very strange.

[Anonymous]

More news articles. Many calls are from Puerto Rico or Mexico.

http://wtop.com/local/2016/05/reports-virtual-kidnapping-scams-pop-region/
http://wtop.com/news/2013/07/local-woman-scared-by-fake-kidnapping-phone-scam/
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newyork/news/press-releases/virtual-kidnapping-scam-on-the-rise-in-new-york-city

[Anonymous]

Shouldn't MCPS sending this out to all parents via Connect Ed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't MCPS sending this out to all parents via Connect Ed?

Our school sent an email out. Have no clue what connect ed is but it was sent.

[Anonymous]

Our school sent out an email this evening

[Anonymous]

We got a Connect Ed call and email about an hour ago.

[Anonymous]

We received it from our ES and MS.

[Anonymous]

We received a letter in the backpack.

[Anonymous]

email and robocall yesterday but only from ES. Not sure if maybe MS DS just didn't give me te paper from school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shouldn't MCPS sending this out to all parents via Connect Ed?

LOL, it's never enough is it? Letters came home in backpacks, some sent emails, I saw it on multiple news reports, and it's here on good old DCUM. And some schools did do the Connect Ed.