Dec. 10--Police issued an alert Tuesday afternoon warning of a scam where victims have been called and told their relatives will be harmed unless money is wired to Puerto Rico.
In some instances, the callers have told victims their relative was in an auto accident and needed money to pay for the expenses. The callers, who claim to be members of the Latin Kings street gang, say the relatives would be held and eventually harmed if the money isn't sent, said police.
The callers try to keep the victim on the phone while the money is wired to Puerto Rico. In some cases, the caller would give the victim the name and phone number of the relative supposedly being held. Another person would then contact that relative and say the first victim was being held until money was wired, said police.
The caller's phone number appears to be local, but police believe the calls are coming in from Puerto Rico.
Anyone with information about the scam should contact the Chicago Police Financial Crimes Unit at 312-746-9661.
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