About This Crime
Offenders using the same number have been contacting victims and telling them a relative has been in an auto accident. The offenders then tell the victim they are holding the relative until they receive money for medical expenses. The offenders threaten to harm the relative if they do not wire them money. In some instances the offenders state they are Latin King gang members. The offenders attempt to keep the victims on the phone long enough for them to wire money to Puerto Rico. In some cases the offenders have the victim give them a relatives name and phone number. Those relative’s are then called being told they are holding the first victim until money is wired. Although the offenders’ phone number’s appear local, it is believed that the calls originate in Puerto Rico. There are also other cases where no money was wired.
