Scottsdale resident loses $4,000 in late-night phone scam
A caller spoofed the number of the victim's father in Virginia, claiming the elderly parents were being held at gunpoint.
By Hana Park ·
Maricopa County police are investigating a virtual kidnapping scam that netted a Scottsdale man nearly $4,000 in a single night.
Curtis Indyke, an information technology worker, received the call at approximately 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. The caller ID displayed the phone number of his father, who resides in Virginia. In the East Coast state, it was nearly 2:30 a.m.
Indyke said the man on the line identified himself as a stranger holding Indyke's parents hostage. The caller demanded immediate payment to prevent the parents from being shot. While still on the phone, Indyke texted 911 to report the hostage situation. As dispatchers processed the call, the scammers increased their threats. In a state of panic, Indyke sent more than $4,000 via Apple Pay to two different numbers. The fraudsters also requested $1,000 worth of cryptocurrency gift cards, a specific type Indyke noted he had never encountered in his career. His bank blocked the crypto purchase.
After the call disconnected, Indyke attempted to reach his father again but received no answer. He feared the scammer might still possess the phone. Virginia police conducted a welfare check at the parents' home and found them safe, though shaken by the incident.
Dawn Alexander, a network specialist for AARP Arizona, stated that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to spoof caller IDs. She noted that these calls rely on inducing a heightened emotional response to force quick reactions. Alexander said the tactic was previously used primarily against older adults but now targets a wider demographic.
Indyke said the recent high-profile disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, immediately crossed his mind during the call. The Arizona connection made the scenario feel more plausible to him. He now advises recipients of similar calls to pause before reacting and to hang up to call the alleged victim directly.
The $4,000 payment remains pending. Indyke plans to file a fraud claim once the transaction clears, hoping to recover the funds.
Source: KTVK · original report published
