Richmond RCMP warns public of Virtual Kidnapping scams

May 25, 2026 - Richmond, British Columbia
From: Richmond RCMP

Content

Richmond RCMP warns of phone scam claiming a loved one is in danger.

How the scam works

A caller contacts the victim claiming a loved one has been in an accident or witnessed a crime, and is now being held against their will. The caller often has a second person playing the role of a distressed family member in the background to make it convincing. The victim is told to bring a sum of cash to a specific location to secure the loved one’s release, and is warned not to hang up or contact anyone, sometimes with a claim that the victim’s phone has been “hacked” or is being monitored, which is meant to stop them from verifying the story.

Richmond RCMP is aware of similar scams reported across the Lower Mainland.

What you should do

Members of the public are encouraged to take the following steps if they receive a suspicious phone call:

• Hang up and independently call the loved one or another family member to confirm they are safe. This is exactly what stopped the scam in one recent report.
• Don’t act on urgency or threats. Real emergencies don’t require secrecy or immediate cash.
• Never agree to deliver cash, gift cards, or e-transfers to a stranger.
• Report it to police.

Key Reminders

• Fraudsters may use caller ID spoofing to make phone numbers appear local or legitimate.
• These scams often rely on creating panic and urgency to manipulate victims.
• Background noises (including crying or yelling) may be used to sound convincing.

Report Fraud

If you believe you have been victimized by a scam, report to your police of jurisdiction. For crimes in progress or if you believe that you or a loved one are in immediate danger, always call 9-1-1.  For more information on scams, visit Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Anyone with information about similar incidents in Richmond is encouraged to contact the Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212.

Contacts