I was just advised that there is a new telephone scam that is happening throughout the State. Earlier today, Valley Field Service Officers were dispatched to a residence in reference to a suspicious phone call. The suspect caller stated that they had kidnapped the reporting parties brother in law and was demanding $3000 for his release. The victim was able to independently verify that his brother in law was at work and was safe.

Further investigation found that the caller asks oblique, personal information questions at the beginning of the phone call, under the auspices of a family member being involved in an automobile accident. The caller then uses this information to make the threat more personal. Another victim notified police in Northern NM that the same scam was attempted on her. The same phone number was used in both attempts.

The phone number that the scammer is using is 505-428-8866, which is a disposable cell phone purchased out of Santa Fe. Please make your neighbors aware of this scam and contact APD immediately if they receive a similar call. Be safe and have a great day!