Westport Police: Frightened Mother Nearly Scammed out of Cash over Hostage Hoax

On March 23rd, 2023 Westport Police responded to M & T Bank on a report of a possible scam.  Responding officers located a victim in the bank who reported that she received a call from a male advising that he and the victim’s daughter had been involved in a motor vehicle accident.  The male claimed to have taken the victim’s daughter hostage and demanded that she withdraw as much money as she could in exchange for the safe return of her daughter.  The victim was told not to text anybody or call anyone.  In the background, the victim could hear a female voice screaming and crying.  The victim went to the bank as instructed and attempted to withdraw all of the money in her account.  An alert bank employee felt that something was wrong as the victim was obviously upset.  The bank employee questioned the victim about the withdrawal and immediately recognized it to be a scam.  The bank contacted the Westport Police Department, we responded and ultimately had the victim contact her daughter who advised that she was fine and at work. 

We have seen this scam, and one’s similar, increase over the past few weeks.  Alert bank employees, like the one at M & T, have aided and prevented at least three scams in the last week alone.  The Westport Police Department would like to thank the alert bank employees at our local banking institutions for being alert to these potential scams and asking the appropriate questions to prevent their customers from being victims of fraud.  

We remind individuals to be cognizant of these scams and provide the following tips:

• Do not send any money or gift cards to an unknown person.

• Make contact with family who claim to be in danger prior to sending money.

• Call the police if unable to contact family members.

• Report any potential scam.