Western Australia Police report rise in virtual kidnapping scams

  • 📰 7NewsSydney
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 22 sec. here
  • 6 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 26%
  • Publisher: 63%

News News

News,Crime,News

7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.

There’s been a rise in virtual kidnapping cases, where parents are extorted for money using fake photos of their children being abducted, according to Western Australia Police. Four cases of virtual kidnapping have been reported to WA police since August 2023, prompting police and universities to work together to raise awareness of the scams.

The scammers use information from social media and fake documents to legitimise the claims and pressure the students to extort money from their parents. Victims who reported being scammed were aged between 18 and 22, WA Police said. They says it’s likely more people have fallen victim to this scam. Detective Superintendent Peter Foley says victims suffer serious financial and psychological effects as a result of their ordeal.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 16. in FİNANCE

Finance Finance Latest News, Finance Finance Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Residents in South Australia and Western Australia treated to vibrant Southern Lights display7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsSydney - 🏆 16. / 63 Read more »