Student victim of extortion found safe in Los Cabos; authorities warn of rising virtual kidnappings in BCS

An 18-year-old student in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, was located safely after falling victim to a phone extortion scheme that triggered a search operation. Agents from the state's Attorney General's Office (PGJE), specializing in kidnappings and tactical analysis, initiated efforts to find the young woman.

Following tracking efforts, the student was found around 2 p.m. in the Altamira neighborhood of Cabo San Lucas. She was confirmed to be in good condition and was subsequently reunited with her family. The PGJE confirmed the incident as phone extortion but did not provide specific details about the perpetrators' methods.

This incident follows a similar case last week in Los Cabos, where an adolescent was located after a man falsely claimed to be holding her captive and demanded money from her mother. Authorities classified that event as a virtual kidnapping and prevented any financial transaction. The adolescent was found in the El Zacatal neighborhood and was never actually held captive.

According to the state's Public Security Secretariat's Cyber Police, at least 15 cases of virtual kidnapping have been prevented this year. The state's Public Security Secretary, Alfredo Cancino Vicente, noted an increase in extortion and virtual kidnapping calls in Baja California Sur in recent years. In 2025, approximately 800 calls were recorded, with 60% not resulting in completed scams as victims did not make deposits. Authorities are working to strengthen public awareness campaigns and develop a state application to identify and register numbers used for these crimes.