Unidentified individuals have disappeared in the Urals, allegedly abducting a woman and demanding a ransom of 2 million rubles from her son. This incident has been reported by Basis, a source tracking such alarming events, and it has stirred concern across the region. The case highlights the chilling possibility that a family can be drawn into danger far from the bustle of city life, underscoring how quickly a routine day can devolve into a tense confrontation with criminals. Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity promptly, as every detail could be critical in preventing harm and aiding the investigation.
A resident of the Sverdlovsk region, who shares a home with his 67-year-old mother, received a video message from an unknown number on September 7. The message carried a stark, urgent tone, triggering alarm for the family and prompting them to consider the vulnerabilities of elderly relatives. The son then received a subsequent call from the same or a related number, intensifying the pressure and signaling that the threat was real. The sequence of contact demonstrates how sophisticated scammers use social engineering to create a sense of immediacy and fear, pushing victims toward making impulsive decisions under stress.
The caller claimed that the pensioner had been kidnapped and demanded a ransom of 2 million rubles for her safe return, stipulating a five-hour window to locate and secure the money. The offer placed the son in a precarious position, balancing the need to act quickly with the need to verify the legitimacy of the threat. Law enforcement agencies emphasize that paying a ransom is not a guaranteed path to safety and may encourage further criminal activity, urging families to contact authorities instead and to preserve any communications as potential evidence. The situation remains fluid, and the condition of the elderly woman was not disclosed at the time of reporting, leaving uncertainty about her whereabouts and welfare.
Earlier, there were reports of another scam targeting a Moscovite, in which fraudsters persuaded him to leave the city and pressured his son to transfer 6 million rubles. This incident mirrors the pattern of intimidation and coercion used by criminal networks, illustrating how scammers tailor their tactics to exploit emotions such as fear, urgency, and responsibility for a loved one. It serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly plausible demands can mask fraudulent schemes, and it underscores the importance of verifying claims through independent, official channels rather than acting on the spur of the moment. The public is advised to approach any unusual ransom requests with caution and to engage law enforcement for guidance in suspected cases, rather than attempting to resolve matters alone on the criminal’s terms.