Chicago, IL – An Illinois mother is sounding the alarm after falling victim to a terrifying extortion scam that threatened her daughter’s life. The incident is part of a growing scheme across the Midwest in which callers claim ties to the Mexican cartel to frighten families into sending money.
The mother said she answered a call from an unknown number earlier this week and heard a frantic young woman crying, “Mom, I was in an accident!” Believing it was her college-aged daughter driving home that day, she immediately feared the worst.
“A man then took the phone and pretended to be a police officer. He said my daughter had taken photos of his cartel associates with weapons and demanded $5,000, or he would take her with him,” she recalled. “It was horrifying. I couldn’t be sure if it was really my daughter on the phone.”
According to local law enforcement, scammers use these tactics to prey on parents’ protective instincts, often targeting families with college-aged or traveling children. The Illinois mother said she eventually confirmed her daughter was safe, but the experience left her shaken.
Authorities urge parents to stay vigilant and take proactive steps. Families are advised to:
- Create a private code word only children and parents know to confirm identity in emergencies.
- Limit conversation with suspected scammers, as artificial intelligence can record and mimic voices to carry out further fraud.
- Report all calls to police and the Federal Trade Commission, even if no money is exchanged.
- Use built-in safety tools like iPhone crash detection, which automatically alerts emergency services in case of a real accident.
Officials warn that these “virtual kidnapping” scams are spreading across the Midwest and are designed to weaponize fear. Parents are urged to talk with their children now about safety measures before receiving such a call.
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