St. Helens Telephone Scam Falsely Claims Children Are Kidnapped

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2021

St. Helens, Ore. – On Thursday, March 4, 2021, St. Helens police received multiple reports of a male calling from an international telephone number claiming to have kidnapped the person’s child. The caller threatens to harm the child and then a child comes on the phone and begs for help. The caller demands money in exchange for the person’s child to be returned.

The St. Helens Police Department have fully investigated all reported phone calls which have proven to be false. All children have been verified as safe.

If you receive a phone call claiming that your child has been kidnapped, hang up the phone and verify through a trusted source that your child is where they are supposed to be. If you have a difficult time contacting your child, call non-emergency dispatch at 503-397-1521 to speak with a St. Helens officer.

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For further information regarding this telephone scam incident, please contact the St. Helens Police Department at 503-397-1521.