Providence Man Reports Being Defrauded of $2,500 in Kidnapping Scam

Providence Man Reports Being Defrauded of $2,500 in Kidnapping Scam

A Providence man says he was defrauded of $2,500, after receiving calls that his wife had been kidnapped and he had to pay ransom or she would be killed. 

About Incident 

Shortly after 5 PM on Wednesday, the victim — a male in his 60s, who lives on Federal Hill  — went to Central Station to report a fraud. 

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The victim told police he had received a call at approximately 1 PM that his wife had been kidnapped, and if $1,000 wasn’t sent, she would be killed. 

He also said the callers instructed him not to contact police. 

The victim said he went to his bank on Hartford Avenue and wired the money.

After he made the payment, he said he was told to wire another $1,500 — which he said he then did. 

The victim told police more money was then demanded, but by that time he had reached his wife, who assured him she had not been kidnapped and she was fine.

Detectives are currently investigating.