DENVER — Denver Police District 2 officers responded to a Syracuse Street residence on March 11, 2026, after a family reported a frightening extortion attempt. The victim received a call from an unknown suspect claiming they had kidnapped her daughter from the school parking lot. The suspect appeared to have used a voice generator that mimicked the daughter, crying and pleading for help, and demanded money. They threatened to send graphic photos if the family did not comply. The suspects then contacted the father as well, keeping both parents on the phone and refusing to let them hang up. They provided specific bank branch locations and directed the victims to send money to individuals in Mexico. The family completed two transactions and began a third, totaling $3,440. While the mother was attempting to send the final payment, the school contacted her to ask if she would be picking up her daughter, who had not yet been picked up. The victim immediately realized her daughter was safe and the kidnapping claim was fraudulent. She stopped the final transaction and notified police.

This scam is similar to what’s often referred to as the Grandparents Scam, using a loved one’s perceived endangerment to create panic and pressure victims into sending money before they can verify the situation.

Denver Police remind community members:

• If you receive a call like this, remain calm and try to contact the supposed victim directly.
• Do not send money or stay on the phone, especially if the caller refuses to let you verify your loved one’s safety.
• Hang up immediately and contact police.
• Talk with your family about these scams so everyone knows how to respond.