Baja California Sur’s State Cyber Police unit has stopped victims from transferring a combined 2.4 million pesos (about $120,000 USD) to scammers so far this year, the state’s Public Security Secretariat (SSP) announced. The unit intervened in 15 virtual kidnapping attempts and provided 876 individual consultations to residents targeted by phone extortion, online fraud, and other digital schemes.
Virtual kidnapping is a phone-based extortion scam in which callers claim to have kidnapped a victim’s family member and demand an immediate wire transfer. No actual kidnapping takes place. The entire operation relies on panic, speed, and the victim’s inability to reach their loved one during the call. Scammers often instruct the supposed hostage’s family to stay on the line, preventing them from verifying whether anyone is actually missing.
A Growing Problem Across BCS
The threat is not slowing down. According to Mexico’s National Public Security System (SESNSP), Baja California Sur opened 42 extortion investigation files during the first four months of 2026 alone. Many of those cases are tied to virtual kidnapping rings targeting both local residents and foreign visitors. The actual number of victims is likely higher, since many people who fall for these scams never report them.
English-speaking expats and tourists in cities like La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and San José del Cabo can be especially vulnerable. Scammers exploit the language barrier to create confusion and prevent targets from seeking help through official channels. Calls often come late at night or early in the morning, when victims are disoriented and less likely to think clearly.
What to Do If You Get the Call
The BCS Cyber Police unit issued specific guidance for anyone who receives a suspicious call. First, stay calm and do not share personal or banking information with an unknown caller. Second, try to verify the information independently by contacting the family member who is supposedly in danger using a separate phone line.
Do not transfer money under pressure. Once funds are sent through a bank transfer, Western Union, or cryptocurrency, recovery is nearly impossible. The entire scam can unfold in under an hour if the victim acts on fear alone.
To report a suspicious call, residents and visitors can dial 089, the anonymous tip line, or contact the BCS State Cyber Police unit directly through the SSP. The unit handles cases of phone extortion, virtual kidnapping, online fraud, and identity theft.
This report was first published by the Baja California Sur state government (bcs.gob.mx).