Fake Kidnapping Scam Targets Arlington Mother: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — An Arlington woman received a call from an unknown suspect stating that her daughter was kidnapped and asking for ransom money, police said.

Police said they were called to the home at about 12:05 p.m. in the 5200 block of Lee Highway. The victim told officers that a man called her and said he kidnapped her daughter. The man said he would harm the girl unless he was given money, police said.

The arriving officer contacted the victim's daughter and discovered she was not in danger. The mother had withdrawn money, but the suspect was unable to provide her with a method for transferring the money, police said.

The officers on scene interrupted the transaction and confirmed that the call was a scam.

Photo: Arlington County Police Department