The National Police are Informing all Panama Residents Especially in the Ancón Community about a Recent Telephone Scam

This scam is perpetrated by inmates from prisons across the country, such as La Joya, La Joyita, and El Renacer. How does the scam work?  The scammers make random calls to cell phones, impersonating members of criminal groups and claiming to have kidnapped a family member (son, brother, or other relative).

During the call:

• They claim the supposed family member owes money.

• They threaten to harm the victim if an immediate transfer or deposit is not made.

• They exploit the victim’s anxiety to pressure them into making quick decisions.

In recent hours, several simultaneous calls have been made to residents of this neighborhood, causing concern among the community.

Important: THIS IS NOT A REAL KIDNAPPING

These calls are telephone scams and have no connection to a genuine kidnapping.  Criminals use general information and intimidation techniques to prevent victims from verifying the situation.

Recommendations for the community

The National Police urge everyone to remain calm and follow these steps:

1. Do not provide personal information (names of family members, addresses, bank account details).

2. Do not make deposits or transfers.

3. End the call immediately.

4. Verify the situation by contacting your family member directly.

5. Report the incident to 69002484 (Department of Cybercrimes and Fraud) or to the area chief at 63797114.

6. Note the caller’s number, the time, and any other useful details.

Actions taken by the National Police

We have activated the corresponding protocols:

• Registration and monitoring of reported calls.

• Coordination with prisons and competent authorities to trace the origin of the calls.

• Door-to-door outreach through Citizen Security units.

 The safety of our residents is a priority. We encourage the community to stay informed through official channels and to avoid spreading messages that cause unnecessary alarm.