RIVER VALE, N.J.—An officers responded on Sept. 6 to a pizza parlor in town for the report of a party who had received threatening text messages. Upon arrival, he was by the caller, who explained that someone was contacting him and threatening to harm his family.
The caller then produced photographs that the unknown party was sending him. The pictures depicted photos of his family, firearms, and a mutilated body. Text messages demanded $300 via Western Union to ensure his family’s safety.
The caller was transported headquarters to speak with a detective. There was a language barrier, so officers requested a Spanish speaking officer to assist with the complaint.
A sergeant from Westwood Police Department arrived, and recognized that the photos were the same as had been used in a similar report in Westwood.
It was determined to be a scamming technique where photos of families are culled from Facebook and elsewhere on social media and then a victim is targeted.
A Google search of the number used to make the threats revealed similar information elsewhere on the web, with the number turning up as one used by scammers.
The recipient’s family was not in any danger. Police advised him to ignore and block the number. He was given a ride back to from contacting him again. He was then transported to the restaurant.
