The Reality of Virtual Kidnappings

As your mission trip abroad draws near, posts by your organization and participants populate social media. Everyone is excited. One person in particular is reading as many publicly available posts as possible so he can gather just enough personal information to move on his target.

On the fourth day of the mission trip, the mother of a mission volunteer gets a call from what looks like an overseas phone number. Thinking it might be her son or mission staff, she answers. But it’s neither. Instead she hears screaming in the background and is told her son has been kidnapped. The caller has personal details about her son and his travel and urgently demands she pay a ransom of $1,000 to ensure his safe return. Using rising panic to his advantage, the caller keeps the mother on the phone and gives instructions to pay electronically immediately. Meanwhile, her son actually is sitting safely in a café

with members of the mission team going over plans for the day, no idea that anything is amiss back home.

“This scenario is called virtual kidnapping,” said Brad James, account executive at Brotherhood Mutual. “Although the kidnapped person is never physically taken captive, the extortion threat is real. And it’s hard to know what to do if it happens to you.”

The FBI has issued warnings about these schemes. Criminals use details from mission travelers’ social media posts to convince relatives back home their loved one has been kidnapped. Using urgency and threat of harm, scammers usually demand a small sum, often less than $2,000, to ensure the loved one’s release. By the time victims learn their loved ones are safe, the money is gone. Given the logistics, it could take up to a day to determine that the traveler is okay. “Meanwhile, panicked loved ones are calling the local church or the mission organization, frantically asking for help,” said James.

Generative AI: Why you can't trust what you hear

Adding to the problem are generative AI “chatbots” used to create deepfake videos and voice clones. According to the Federal Trade Commission,¹ evidence already exists that fraudsters can use these tools to generate realistic but fake content quickly and cheaply and target specific individuals. Criminals can now scrape anyone’s voice from their social media videos, including sermons and more. Then, they clone the voice and regenerate it to make it say whatever they want it to say. It’s a realistic way to facilitate scams, extortion, and financial fraud.

Don’t become a virtual victim

Virtual kidnapping is one of the emerging threats that mission organizations face. Other scenarios include the caller saying the traveler is in the hospital and needs urgent medical assistance or that the traveler has been arrested or is in jail.  

If you’re organizing mission travel, consider sharing the following tips with your team members and their families to raise awareness:

• Be careful about what is posted online about upcoming travel. Use social media privacy tools to keep the information available to just your friend group.
• Check to see if your phone number or email is publicly viewable on your social accounts and make them private.
• Discuss this virtual kidnapping scenario with family members prior to travel.
• Have a prearranged codeword that only the traveler and family members know, so you confirm that your traveler is really in danger.

Some possible indicators of a virtual kidnapping include:

• The call number or info looks off or is coming from an unfamiliar number.
• Callers go to great lengths to create a sense of urgency and keep victims on the phone.
• Callers will demand ransom money only to be wired or sent digitally while you’re on the phone.

The FBI shares some ways to respond if you receive a call from someone demanding a ransom for an alleged kidnap victim:*

• While staying on the line with the alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone.
• To buy time, repeat the caller's request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need additional time to meet their demands.
• Don't directly challenge or argue with the caller. Keep your voice low and steady.
• Request the alleged kidnapper allow the victim to call you back from his/her cell phone
• Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to your family member directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”
• Ask questions only the alleged kidnapped traveler would know, such as the codeword or info they have not posted on social media.
• Avoid sharing information about yourself or your family.
• Listen carefully to the voice of the alleged victim if they speak.
• Many smartphones will allow you to text while you’re on the phone. Try to text the alleged victim.
• Don’t agree to pay a ransom digitally, by wire, or in person. Delivering money in person can be dangerous.

If you suspect a real kidnapping is taking place or you believe a ransom demand is a scheme, contact the nearest FBI office or local law enforcement immediately.

Real protection matters  

“We often hear that people called to do mission work are willing to go wherever a ministry wants to send them regardless of risk,” said James. “And we hear that these same people want to know that the ministry sending them out has plans in place to not only proactively protect them, but to help them if something goes wrong.”  

James emphasizes that’s why kidnap and ransom insurance is an important coverage to talk with your agent about before sending people into the mission field. “For example, in the case of a virtual kidnapping, a kidnap and ransom policy could cover a ransom paid to virtual kidnappers, so finances are fully restored.”  

Not only that, but the liability coverage protecting the mission-sending organization is invaluable. “What if a traveler really is kidnapped, and the hostage takers decide to harm that person? Regardless of how hard you tried to negotiate the victim’s release, the family might sue the ministry. Having a kidnap and ransom policy mitigates the potential losses from a situation like that,” explained James. 

While every policy is unique, most kidnap and ransom coverage can also provide services if a person goes missing, is detained by law enforcement, or needs to be evacuated for security reasons. Coverage typically includes 24/7 access to crisis response experts to help guide your ministry’s actions in a calm, measured manner. Finally, it’s important to consider whether the policy pays for a victim’s injury, recovery care, and reimburses your organization for ransom payments.

*FBI Virtual Kidnapping. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/virtual-kidnapping Accessed January 2023.

Kidnap & Ransom Coverage is provided by Hiscox through Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Services, LLC. The coverage description above does not provide coverage of any kind, nor does it modify the terms of any policy. For complete insurance policy details, please refer to the actual policy documents. Some coverages may not be available in all states.

Related Resource

The Mission Edition - The Deacon's Bench eBook

1 Atleson, Michael. “Chatbots, deepfakes, and voice clones: AI deception for sale.” Federal Trade Commission, 20 March 2023.  https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/03/chatbots-deepfakes-voice-clones-ai-deception-sale. Accessed 14 March 2024.

Updated March 2024
The information provided in this article is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program. Your organization is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws.