Venezuela authorities alert on virtual kidnapping schemes using Binance

The Venezuelan Scientific, Penal and Criminalistic Investigation Body (Cicpc) has issued an alert regarding a growing trend of virtual kidnapping. This criminal modality involves remote psychological terror rather than physical abduction.

Criminals use false job offers to lure victims to isolated areas, where they are then kept incommunicado under threat. Perpetrators use international calls, sometimes originating from Colombia, to contact family members and demand ransoms. These payments are increasingly requested in cryptocurrency, specifically USDT via the Binance platform.

Authorities advise citizens to remain calm when receiving intimidating international calls, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and immediately report any suspicious activity to the Cicpc.