Sentences with phrase «virtual kidnappers»

The virtual kidnappers then sit and wait, hoping a banking transaction will take place.

To accomplish this task, virtual kidnappers hack into a person's email and other accounts, then follow their prey — either physically or through social media — and wait until they turn off their phones or are in a place where they would be unreachable, like at a loud concert or, more commonly, on an airline flight.

Virtual kidnappers rely solely on deception, fear and their technological expertise to make families think that a loved one is in danger and a ransom must be paid immediately, through an electronic bank transaction or wire transfer, in order to gain their release.

Perhaps the primary reason for this uptick is the fact that it is so easy to carry out: The only information a virtual kidnapper needs is a telephone number and some personal information about the victim — things that can easily be gleaned from social networking sites.