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Virtual kidnapping schemes in Venezuela

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What changed

2026-09-27 21:53 UTC → 2026-09-28 23:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Venezuelan Scientific, Penal and Criminalistic Investigation Body (Cicpc) issued an alert regarding a trend of ‘virtual kidnapping’. This criminal method involves remote psychological terror rather than physical abduction, where criminals use false job offers to lure victims to isolated areas and then use international calls to demand ransoms, often requesting cryptocurrency via the Binance platform. Following this alert, the National Bolivarian Police (PNB) dismantled a specific scheme in the Anzoátegui state. In El Tigre, authorities rescued two veterinarians and a taxi driver on Pdvsa San Tomé grounds. The perpetrators had used psychological manipulation and death threats via international phone numbers to convince the victims they were under constant surveillance. Before the rescue, the suspects had successfully extorted 5,000 dollars in electronic funds. In response to the rise in these incidents, Cicpc Director Douglas Rico issued public recommendations. He advised citizens to remain calm, avoid answering international calls regarding service requests, and implement the use of ‘family secret codes’ to verify the legitimacy of emergencies.

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