Stephen Ellison

Union City Police Investigate Kidnapping Scam

The Union City Police Department is investigating a kidnapping scam that began in mid June, police officials said.

Anonymous suspects have been calling Union City residents claiming to have family members held hostage. The suspects threaten to harm the family members and order the victims to send money via Western Union, police said.

In one incident, police said, a young woman answered the phone, and the suspect pretended to have her mother held hostage so that the younger woman would release her mother’s cellphone number.

The suspects then called the mother and told her that they had the daughter held hostage. Officers quickly responded and stopped the mother from wiring money to the suspects, police said.

The Union City Police Department is urging residents to not give out any personal information of loved ones. Those who receive a suspicious call should contact police immediately.

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