BELLEVUE, Wash. —Recently, members of the Bellevue School District community have been impacted by “Cyber Kidnapping” schemes, also known as virtual kidnappings. Cyber kidnappings aim to get an individual to believe that a loved one has been kidnapped, are in immediate danger and a ransom must be paid. The scheme can take place over the telephone or digitally. Although no actual kidnapping has taken place, scammers demand that victims pay for the safe release of their loved one. These schemes often involve the use of technology such as artificial intelligence voice spoofing, caller ID spoofing, and social media activity to convince unsuspecting victims to pay money.
BSD Safety and Security provides some guidance to our learning community in the event they become impacted by a cyber kidnapping scheme:
ALWAYS contact law enforcement.
Stop and think. Do the demands and claims make sense?
Demand to speak to your loved one or have someone else attempt to contact them.
Ask for answers or a code word only your loved one would know.
Buy time and cooperate with law enforcement. Scammers want to expedite a ransom payment. Remember, these scams work by confusing and stressing out victims. Counter that by stopping and assessing the situation.
If you have any information regarding cyber kidnapping or suspect someone is a victim, please contact your local authorities immediately. Your assistance is crucial in combating this crime and ensuring the safety of potential victims. Thank you for your cooperation.
The Bellevue School District, with over 18,000 students and 28 schools, is a diverse and dynamic district in East King County, Washington. Its mission is “To serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another’s humanity, we provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students.”