Unique Cell Phone 'Kidnapping Scare' Scam In Colombia

Colombian cell phone users are being duped by criminals who pose as phone operators and instruct them to turn off their handsets just long enough to demand ransom from their families.

Colombia has seen a rash of cases in which mobile phone customers receive messages telling them to turn off their handsets for two hours because their telephones have been "cloned".

The criminals then contact family members of the phone user to say that the person has been taken hostage.

Families, who have no way of contacting their relative since their phones are off, are then directed where to drop off ransom money before the two hours are up.

Local police advises citizens: "If you get a call telling you to turn off your handset, contact the authorities."

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