Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A woman foiled a scam attempt involving a fake kidnapping and ransom demand that was allegedly carried out by a Rochester man last Fall. 

See Also: Texas Man Charged for Minnesota ATM Heist, Two Suspects At Large

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Thursday. 

The court document says the alleged would-be thief told the woman her daughter was being held hostage. The suspect has now been criminally charged.

Y-105FM logo
Get our free mobile app

Rochester Man Accused of Using Fake Kidnapping in Attempt to Scam Woman

Rochester police investigators responded to the report of an attempted theft by swindle last October. 

The victim told police that a person known to her, identified in the complaint as 45-year-old Laterrance Vashawn Barnes, tried to swindle her out of money. 

photo by Kim David TSM
photo by Kim David TSM
loading...

Barnes claimed the victim’s daughter had been kidnapped and was being held hostage by a drug dealer. He said the kidnapper was demanding $1,200, the complaint states. 

The court document says Barnes offered to pay half of the ransom if the woman paid him the other half through the electronic payment app Zelle, the court filing says. 

She told police she discovered the kidnapping and ransom demand were fabricated and that she did not pay Barnes the $600 he was asking for, the complaint says. 

Pile of Money
Ingram Publishing
loading...

Barnes is facing a gross misdemeanor theft by swindle charge and is ordered to make his first court appearance in May.

20 Common Scams To Look Out For In Minnesota

The more you know about common scams, the better you can protect yourself against them.

Gallery Credit: Lauren Wells

More From Y-105FM