Virtual kidnapping scams are making headlines again - when criminals demand money from victims in exchange for the safe return of loved ones. While the ransom demand is real, the actual kidnapping is fake - the "victim" is safe and usually completely unaware of the incident. The Los Angeles police department has received more than 250 reports of such crimes during the past two years, and people have wired more than $100,000 to fraudsters, said Capt. William Hayes, who commands the Robbery Homicide Division."Callers...will typically provide the victim with specific instructions to ensure safe 'return' of the allegedly kidnapped individual," the FBI said earlier this year. "These instructions usually involve demands of a ransom payment. Most schemes use various techniques to instill a sense of fear, panic, and urgency in an effort to rush the victim into making a very hasty decision. Instructions usually require the ransom payment be made immediately and typically by wire transfer."Here are some ways to spot a fake kidnapping scam, according to the federal agency:- Incoming calls come from an unfamiliar area code- Calls do not come from the alleged victim바카라 게임 웹사이트�s phone- Callers attempt to keep you on the phone for as long as possible- Callers try to prevent you from contacting or locating the 바카라 게임 웹사이트�kidnapped바카라 게임 웹사이트� victim- Ransom money is only accepted via wire transfer serviceAnyone who believes that he or she has been targeted in a fake kidnapping scam should follow this protocol:- Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask, 바카라 게임 웹사이트�How do I know my loved one is okay?바카라 게임 웹사이트�- If they don바카라 게임 웹사이트�t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or their vehicle- Listen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speak- Attempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social media- While staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phone- To buy time, repeat the caller바카라 게임 웹사이트�s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things moving- Don바카라 게임 웹사이트�t argue with the caller- Request the alleged victim call back from his/her mobile phoneComplaints can be filed with the FTC here.The Associated Press contributed to this report.