Virtual Kidnappings in Venezuela Demand Ransoms in USDT

The Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations Corps (CICPC) has alerted about extortions in Venezuela where criminals make relatives believe that a person has been kidnapped to demand cryptocurrencies. On September 18, 2026, a man was found in Miranda who had been deceived into remaining uncommunicative after receiving a false job offer. Upon arriving at the agreed location, he received threats from a paramilitary group and was ordered to keep the line busy. While he was uncommunicative, the extortionists contacted his wife, making her believe that her partner had been kidnapped, demanding a ransom in USDT through Binance. The CICPC indicated that there was no physical retention, only threats. After the report, communications were traced, and the man's vehicle was located. Most of the calls come from international numbers, mainly from Colombia (+57), as well as from +53 and +593. The CICPC recommended blocking and reporting the numbers +573242150710 and +573241771960, not making transfers, and verifying the person's status before handing over money. In Costa Rica, 58 reports of virtual kidnappings were recorded between January and May 2026, a 625% increase compared to the same period in 2025. These cases highlight the use of digital assets in extortions and the need to quickly distinguish between real and simulated threats.