KITTANNING — State police have issued a warning to residents in and around Armstrong County of a new scam: a kidnapping hoax.

The swindle, police say, targets unknowing victims who are called and asked to send money to help a loved one.

The callers will try to disguise their voices to persuade victims into thinking they are actually talking to a family member. Another person will get on the phone, demand money and tell the victim not to call police.

The call comes with the threat that the purported family member will come to harm if the victim does not comply.

Other takeoffs to the hoax include scammers calling victims to report a family member in legal jeopardy or medical trouble stemming from an out-of-state automobile accident.

Still another con involves the winning of money from some type of foreign lottery.

Police advise that anyone who receives a similar phone call to first reach out to their family members to verify if they are safe, before sending money.

Residents also should ask questions of the caller that only family members would know the answer to. Then, police say, call 911 if they fear a loved one is in danger.