Now that the jury duty scam, IRS scam, utilities scam and jailed family member scam are all heavily publicized, criminals are now taking a new approach.
This new approach is known as "Virtual Kidnapping." Individuals will call claiming to be holding one of your family members and they will demand money for their release.
The following is a news story out of Fallbrook that has some very good information on how the scam works:
http://www.cbs8.com/story/29059464/fallbrook-family-falls-victim-to-virtual-kidnapping-scam
Lomita Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
26123 Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department