The head of Sinaloa’s anti-kidnapping squad under the pseudonym of Commander J addressed a meeting of approximately 200 Mazatlán foreign residents yesterday on the topic of telephone fraud and extortion.
And while telephone scams in the city have been reported for many years, he noted that in 2013 there were 495 extortion calls in Mazatlán but this year it appears to be increasing with 250 reported since January 1.
Telephone crime falls into five categories he explained:
- Scam: the caller threatens injury to a family member if money is not deposited in a bank
- Fraud: the caller says the victim has won a prize on a fake raffle and asks for a deposit to send it
- Extortion: the caller says he is a member of organized crime or the police or army and says he knows where the victim´s family is
- Extortion 2: (most common in Mazatlán) an English speaking caller says he is a family member of the victim and needs money
- Virtual kidnapping: the caller says he has a family member and demands a ransom
Most of the calls originate from prisoners in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas and Mexico who use cell phones hiding ID numbers. The potential victim will receive a call identified as “private caller” or “unknown caller.”
In Mazatlán, most of the scam telephone calls originate in Jalisco prisons, the Commander said, and unfortunately it is the victim himself who gives the extortionist information required to enable the criminal activity.
As an example, the most common call to foreign residents is from an English speaking person who says he is a family member and to guess who it is. The victim replies “Is that George?” and the scammer now has a name to continue the call. “George” may have some problems and needs money which the victim is asked to deposit immediately into a bank account in Banamex, Electra, Western Union etc. Once the victim makes the deposit, the money is withdrawn by the criminals sometimes within 25 seconds of the deposit.
The Commander told those at the meeting that if they do receive such a call to remain calm, do not make any arrangements to transfer money, hang up immediately and contact the family member. If the family member cannot be contacted, call the police.
He strongly suggested residents install Caller ID systems and never give out the names of family or friends. The extortionists find personal information on social networks, from classified ads, the telephone book, bank data bases, false business solicitations etc.
Of the total extortion calls, approximately 65 percent are directed at students, followed by housewives, professors, businessmen, workers and hotel guests.
Should you find yourself a victim or potential victim of a telephone extortion, scam or fraud, Commander J said to contact the anti-kidnapping unit at 01-800-3221-5803, email: noalfraudtelefonico@hotmail.com.
English speakers can contact the 24 hour telephone line of the Mazatlán District Attorney’s office at 914-3222.
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