A new kidnapping phone scam has tricked several Horry County residents out of thousands of dollars.
Conway resident John Smith said he received a frantic call from a young man that was hysterically crying and begging for help. He was convinced his son in Charleston was in serious trouble.
“The kid crying in the beginning is what holds you, that kid deserves an Oscar it’s that believable,” John Smith said.
Two guys named Anthony and Victor said they needed four thousand dollars in order for his son to be save from harm.
“I told them I didn’t have it, and they asked how much I would be able to pay,” Smith said.
Staying on the phone for two hours, they managed to agree on a thousand dollars.
“I had to track down a Walgreens to get the money transferred, I couldn’t get a hold of anybody on my other phone,” Smith said.
He says he knows someone else that got scammed by the same two people, but for a hundred thousand.
“I’m young, I can pay it back but others are not as fortunate,” Smith said.
News13 spoke with a different father in Conway who says he got a similar call, but doesn’t feel comfortable revealing his name or identity.
“As I’m driving to Walgreens, I say let me speak to my son, let me speak to him,” he said.
While he was on the phone, he says he got confirmation from his wife that his son was indeed safe and sound.
“On the way to Walgreens, I decide to go by the police station to explain to the officers what’s going on, and as I hand the officer the phone the person hangs up,” he said.
