Police Issue Warning About Hostage Phone Scam
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Police have issued a warning about a scary phone scam after at least six people in central Pennsylvania have been targeted since the middle of last month.
According to Shenango Township Police, authorities in the central part of state say the victims receive a phone call saying a relative has either been taken hostage or has been in a minor accident.
Police say the caller then tells the victim to pay $2,000 or the relative will be harmed.
Investigators say they have determined the calls originated from Puerto Rico and were made using a pre-paid cell phone.
According to police, the callers have some background information on the victims and the caller ID typically displays a local number.
Authorities have not identified a suspect.
Meanwhile, police are urging anyone who has gotten a call like this to contact authorities right away.
RELATED LINKS:
More Scam Alerts
More Local News
