By Staff Report
What began as a potential kidnapping investigation on March 31 turned out to be a scam attempt targeting a Florida woman and her father, prompting a multi-agency response and a warning to the public about rising extortion schemes.
According to the Bonifay Police Department, at approximately 5:53 PM on Sunday, Bonifay Police were dispatched to a reported kidnapping involving a Black SUV with Texas license plates. The report came after a message indicated someone’s life was being threatened unless a ransom payment was made.
Officers, including Sgt. Shirah, responded to the area near 2104 S. Waukesha Street and began their investigation at the nearby Tom Thumb convenience store. While no suspect vehicle was immediately located, a review of store security footage revealed that the Black SUV had briefly stopped in the parking lot between 5:53 PM and 6:03 PM. No individuals were seen exiting the vehicle during that time.
According to the Bonifay Police Department, shortly after, dispatch received new information suggesting the suspect vehicle had been seen at the Walmart in Chipley, FL. The Chipley Police Department was notified and successfully located the SUV in the store’s parking lot.
Bonifay Police officers, along with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene in Chipley and began interviewing the individuals involved. Through the course of their investigation, authorities learned that a female victim had received a threatening text message demanding she wire $400 to an account in Mexico, or else her father would be harmed. At the same time, the victim’s father received a separate message claiming his daughter had been kidnapped and demanding $2,400 for her release.
With assistance from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Chipley Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety, investigators determined that no actual kidnapping had occurred and that no funds had been transferred. Walmart officials confirmed that the intended transaction had been successfully canceled.
Because the scam appeared to originate outside Florida and involved individuals residing in Texas, both victims were referred to their local law enforcement agency in Texas for further investigation.
In light of the incident, the Bonifay Police Department is reminding residents to remain cautious and alert for scam messages that use fear and manipulation to extract money. Anyone who receives similar threats is urged to report them immediately to the Bonifay Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.
CAROL KENT 