In Brazil, criminal gangs frequently phone victims with fake abduction claims about their loved ones and trick them into handing over cash. As the BBC's Gary Duffy reports from Sao Paulo, being on the receiving end can be a frightening experience.
Gary Duffy is just one of thousands targeted by the scam. When the call came it was a sudden intrusion on a quiet Sunday afternoon. At the other end of the line appeared to be a young man in a great deal of distress, crying desperately.
"Oh My God," he said repeatedly, "I've just been robbed... they have taken me." And then he called out: "My mother, my mother."
Suddenly an older man came on the line and almost casually explained they had meant to kidnap the son of a businessman but had taken this young man instead. He demanded to speak to the mother in the household.
It seemed a good moment to put the phone down.
Gary Duffy is just one of thousands targeted by the scam. When the call came it was a sudden intrusion on a quiet Sunday afternoon. At the other end of the line appeared to be a young man in a great deal of distress, crying desperately.
"Oh My God," he said repeatedly, "I've just been robbed... they have taken me." And then he called out: "My mother, my mother."
Suddenly an older man came on the line and almost casually explained they had meant to kidnap the son of a businessman but had taken this young man instead. He demanded to speak to the mother in the household.
It seemed a good moment to put the phone down.
The news in detail.....http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/6961741.stm
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