Local Victim of Scam and Mother Tells Her Story in Letter to the Editor

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[Stock photo by Ed Brown via Wiki commons]

A local mother was the victim of a scam attempt that was described generally in a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office earlier today. The mother detailed the story in a letter to the editor. We have confirmed her identity but at her request, are keeping her anonymous.

I was getting out of my car to get gas when my phone rang.  I thought it might be my youngest son who has been sick.  I was already  in motion to get out the car and I didn’t look at the number before I answered it. Not typical of me.

The man said he was Officer…. and that there had been an incident and that he had my son in custody.  He wanted me to talk to my son to verify he was ok before we continued our conversation.

A crying child came on the phone and said, “Mom, there’s been an accident and I’ve been taken  Mom…” crying.

The guy took back the phone and told me that he had my kid ( he used a name but I didn’t quite catch it because he was talking fast and I was scared) in a truck and that truck was going to Mexico and if I wanted my kid back I would have to do exactly what he told me to.

At this point I screamed “WTF are you talking about?” He told me that if I didn’t calm down and listen or if I hung up on him, my kid would be on that truck to Mexico and I would never see him again. He wouldn’t let me ask questions.  He wanted me to wire whatever money I had through western union.  He said he got paid for my kid either way and that he was giving me the opportunity to pay him before the guy in Mexico.  It was just business, nothing personal.

I drove to Ray’s in Garberville.  I needed to get someone’s attention to call my kids’ school for me.  I was beyond freaked out.

He had me write detailed information about where to wire the money and how to do it.  He instructed me to leave my phone on so he could listen.  One word to anyone and he would just leave my kid on the truck to Mexico and that would be that.  So I put my phone in my pocket and went inside.  I looked around. Trying to decide what to do.

I waited in a line and I wrote a note on a piece of paper that said “Please don’t say anything.  I have a weirdo on my phone that says he has my kid.  Please call 943-3144 Child’s Name to see if he is in class.”

I noticed a manager I did not know nearby.  I asked him where I should go for Western Union and held up the note pointing to it while talking.  He told me WU was over there.  WU is that way I asked and again held up the note pointing at it.  Yes and he sort of pointed in the direction of a check stand.  I asked him again if it’s over there and shoved the note in his chest, then held it in his face.  I was starting to cry and about to completely loose it.

He realized what was happening took the paper and ran off.  I just stood in line not knowing what to do or think.

The manager came running back and said the school has your kid!  He’s fine! It’s a scam.

I hung up, cried in the the drink aisle, and gave the manager a big hug.  I called the school back to make sure all my kids were accounted for.

The guy called me back 17 times after I hung up. I am grateful it was just a scam.  It was terrifying.  He called from two different numbers both from Mexico 011 52 998 459 5029 and 011 52 775 196 2318.

I talked to the Sheriff, but because the money was never sent, there is nothing to do really and that they would send out a press release because this kind of scam happens all the time.

I want to thank the manager at the Garberville Rays, Pablo, for paying attention to the crazy lady that was rudely shoving a paper in his face and realizing that I needed his help.

Thank you to the other people at Rays, workers and customers, who let me hang out, vent, and make sure I was ok.

And thank you to SFHS office staff for recognizing that the store manager calling with this odd request on my behalf was so ridiculous that they should definitely check on all my kids and hold them until we all knew things were ok.  Truly grateful for our tight community.

So, please teach your kids a code word!  Talk to your kids about what to say if the worst ever does happen.  And hold them all tight tonight because you can.

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18 Comments
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Willie Caso-Mayhem
Guest
5 years ago

These are local people don’t let that number 🐃,,,,,, you magic jack plugged into a computer can give you any number you choose. And that’s old school. There’s better more untraceable stuff out there. And they are your neighbors.

Godless
Guest
Godless
5 years ago

Every single damn call from a 616 number is a scam. Idk if that’s because I have a 616 number and they use that prefix because I’d be more likely to pick up. I’ve even received calls saying its my own damn phone number. If you ever try to call the number back, you get some other joe who is always very confused as to why you called.

Y Knot?
Guest
Y Knot?
5 years ago

Crazy story about scams…

I’ve heard of something like this going on lately, this one and the lost dog poster scam.

Sharing this sheet really is the best defense against these types.

Posting things about your children, life, any detailed information can bring you into the scam barrage.

Even pictures are used for steal identities and push the scam down the road like a grower kicking out a trim whore.

Keep your stuff private, don’t grow, use, or sell marijuana, and don’t let hippies merge in traffic –

That right there will get you places and keep you safe.

Willie caos- mayhem
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Y Knot?

You did alright till the last two sort of paragraphs.

Lost Croat Outburst
Guest
Lost Croat Outburst
5 years ago
Reply to  Y Knot?

The last three paragraphs did it for me. Fail. Lights are on but amps are low.

Pike Mortar
Guest
Pike Mortar
5 years ago

Man, I wish somebody would grab my kid and take him to Mexico.

I kid, I kid.

But seriously, take my kid.

If the scammer called me all he’d hear would be loud whoops.

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
5 years ago
Reply to  Pike Mortar

Sad, but funny too.

Choni
Guest
Choni
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kym, this is a great story! Thank for the laughs.

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Why ARE oranges round?

Pike Mortar
Guest
Pike Mortar
5 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Haha! That’s a classic.

Misty
Guest
Misty
5 years ago

Same number called my phone yesterday at 230pm. I didnt answer.

Mike
Guest
Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Misty

Man, I actually started answering my phone since I read about this scam, I figure it’ll be good entertainment when I start negotiating how much they will have to pay me to take my kid back.

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
5 years ago

Stream of consciousness doesn’t suit you. Censorship might be informative.

s. s.
Guest
s. s.
5 years ago

censorship of trolling racist rants should be applied.
i had same call today, a friend who was here told me area code was cancun mexico. but crank calls come from anywhere. glad this situation ended well.

kelley
Guest
kelley
5 years ago

wow mom!! thanks for sharing that. it sounds horrifying. i for one do not expect you to have known what to do ahead of time and i think you did a great job. now everyone else gets an opportunity to prepare for what they might do if they pick up such a weird call.

Jessica
Guest
Jessica
5 years ago

What a terrifying experience. I can’t begin to imagine that sheer terror and then the relief when finding that everyone was accounted for. You did amazing!! Definitely kudos to the store manager and school for recognizing the situation. I will be talking to my kids and Sharing this.

tax payer
Guest
tax payer
5 years ago

just a thought, dont they have to pay by the minute when it is out of the country? if so keep them on the phone for as long as possible.

now do you want them to build the wall?