Camden Police Warn Of Kidnapping Phone Scam

By Cleve Bryan, Mike DeNardo

CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- Police warn of a phone scam involving the threat of kidnapping that is targeting people in the Camden area. The County police department received 15 complaints of criminals calling, or texting people at random, threatening to harm a family member if they don't give money.

They use different numbers with an "856" area code.

"I got a phone call saying that somebody in my family was in a bad car accident at a Sunoco station in Camden," says Cleophus Robinson from Camden.

He knew it was a scam when he called his daughter who was allegedly in trouble and found out she was fine.

Camden County Police Lieutenant Julio Rios says 15 times over the last month, residents have gotten calls or texts saying that a relative was kidnapped.

"Just saying, 'Hey, we have your son, your daughter, your niece, your parent. We have them, and we're asking you to send X amount of money for their release," said Lt. Rios.

In several cases, the victims did, paying several hundred dollars for the release of a relative who was never being held in the first place.

All of the calls have come from the 856 area code, but so far police haven't been able to connect the number to an individual. Nor have they been able to establish a pattern, or determine why the call recipients were picked.

Camden County Police say if you get a call or text that seems like it is part of this scam report it at (856) 757-7042.