Guardia Civil issues guidance for supporting extortion victims in Michoacán

The Guardia Civil in Michoacán has issued a guide for citizens on how to support individuals who have fallen victim to extortion calls. Authorities emphasize the importance of providing calm, non-judgmental accompaniment to victims to facilitate the reporting process.

Key recommendations include listening to the victim without minimizing their fear and avoiding language that blames them for answering the call or believing the threats. To assist, bystanders can offer their own phones to contact the specialized Anti-Extortion Unit via the 089 emergency line. If a threat involves a supposed emergency regarding a loved one, supporters are encouraged to attempt to locate the relative directly while simultaneously seeking official help.

Citizens are advised to avoid succumbing to pressure to transfer money and to help the victim follow instructions from specialized personnel. The 089 line is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to report potential extortion attempts and receive guidance.