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New Jersey Police Warn Of Hostage Scam

FAIR LAWN, N.J. (CBS) – Police in New Jersey are warning people about a scam where people claim to have kidnapped a family member for ransom.

According to WCBS, a man in Fair Lawn fell for the scam when someone called him saying they had his brother-in-law and wanted $800.

Allegedly, the victim began passing notes to a teller at a Chase bank so the police could be alerted.

Officials showed up to the bank, allegedly think it was a heist but let the man go after finding out he was the victim and his brother-in-law had never been in danger.

Police say they received three similar calls within an hour and these scams are going on across the county.

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