Sioux Falls Woman Shaken By Alarming Virtual Kidnapping Scam

Turn on the news these days, and it can feel like the world is overflowing with frightening headlines, wars, violence, scams, and tragedies happening everywhere you look. That's why it's especially scary when you hear or read about one of these types of headlines landing right here in our own backyard.

That’s exactly what happened recently to a Sioux Falls woman, who became the victim of a terrifying phone scam that cost her a significant amount of money.

According to a report from Dakota News Now, the woman received a phone call from someone claiming they had kidnapped her sister and were holding her hostage. The caller demanded a ransom of $1,000 and threatened that her sister would be harmed if the money wasn’t sent.

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As if that situation wasn’t frightening enough, the scammer was reportedly able to describe the woman’s sister in great detail. That information made the threat seem even more believable and added to the panic of the moment. Thinking her sister was truly in danger, the victim followed the caller’s instructions and wired the money.

Sadly, situations just like this one are exactly what scammers are counting on. They create panic and urgency so victims don’t have time to stop and verify what’s really happening.

Sioux Falls Police are now investigating the incident, but so far, no arrests have been made.

Authorities say scams like this, often called “family emergency” or “virtual kidnapping” scams, have been popping up more frequently across the country. While Sioux Falls is known for being a relatively safe and friendly community, cases like this are a reminder that scammers can and will target anyone, anywhere.

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Police are urging residents across the Sioux Empire to stay alert. If you ever receive a call like this, or another potential scam-type call, try to pause before acting. Attempt to research the situation before sending any money.

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it immediately by contacting local law enforcement or the South Dakota Division of Consumer Protection at 1-800-300-1986.

A little caution can go a long way in protecting yourself and your wallet from a potential costly scam.