Crime & Safety

Hamden Police Warn About Kidnapping, Ransom Scam

A Hamden family paid a ransom for a kidnapping that never occurred.

A Lane Street family was informed that a relative had been kidnapped and a ransom was demanded for his safe return. 

Thankfully, the reported kidnapping was not true, but the family did send money to the alleged kidnappers, and Hamden Police want residents to be alert about similar scams.

Investigation revealed that a 19 year-old family member received a telephone call from an individual “with a Spanish accent,” police said. 

The caller stated that a family member was involved in a motor vehicle accident and that the family member had been kidnapped, police said. The caller then demanded a ransom for his return, police said.

The Lane Street family subsequently wired an undisclosed amount of money to Puerto Rico, police said. Shortly thereafter, they ascertained that their family member was not involved in an accident and that they were the victim of a scam, police said.

Hamden Police said in the release that would like to make residents aware of this scam. Furthermore, residents are urged not to wire money anywhere, without first conducting a further investigation and contacting their local police department. 

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