LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- An older scam is making a comeback and leaving parents frightened with just a phone call.

It's called virtual kidnapping. Thanks to social media and artificial intelligence, it claims a loved one is in danger and at risk of getting hurt if you don't pay a fee.

A man received a terrifying phone call one day. When he answered, his daughter's voice was on the other end of the line. She was hysterical and he could not understand her.

Suddenly, a man's voice was on the phone. They started they had his daughter and he needed $5,000 wired to him or her life was in danger.

Luckily, he was able to get ahold of her and she was at school, perfectly safe.

The virtual kidnapping scam plays on your worst fears, and police say people are falling for it every day.

The FBI states if you get a call like this:

  • Keep the caller on the line
  • Try to text the loved one, or another family member
  • Listen to their demands, but don't panic, and be skeptical

Finally, the FBI suggests setting up a safe word, so that if its really a loved one in trouble, they will know the word.

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