Police in Worcester, Massachusetts, are warning the community about "virtual kidnappers."
Investigators say scams involving kidnappers and the IRS have netted thieves more than $10,000 so far.
Police say the virtual kidnappers call the victim and stage a ransom scenario.
They tell the victim they have a certain amount of time to give them money, or else they kill one of their relatives.
The other scam involves someone pretending to be working for the IRS and tells the victims they owe thousands in taxes.
Both calls from outside area codes, and the callers try to keep the victim on the line as long as possible.
Police say the best solution is to stay calm, avoid sharing personal information, and slow the situation down by asking to hear the kidnapping victim's voice.
