Fake kidnapping scams are on the rise, where fraudsters demand money from victims in exchange for the return of their loved ones via phone call. The catch? No one has actually been kidnapped, and the ransom demand is completely bogus. This type of scheme is re-emerging across the nation, according to the FTC Friday. A 65-year-old Washington man was targeted earlier this week when he was told that his 23-year-old daughter had been kidnapped. A caller demanded $30,000, threatening to leave the woman "on the side of a road with a bullet hole in her" if the money wasn't paid. The man even told police he could hear a woman crying in the background, but his daughter was completely safe and unaware of the kidnapping. "Callers...will typically provide the victim with specific instructions to ensure safe 'return' of the allegedly kidnapped individual," the FBI said. "These instructions usually involve demands of a ransom payment. Most schemes use various techniques to instill a sense of fear, panic, and urgency in an effort to rush the victim into making a very hasty decision. Instructions usually require the ransom payment be made immediately and typically by wire transfer." There are a few ways to detect a fake kidnapping scam, according to the federal agency: Incoming calls come from an outside area codeCalls do not come from the kidnapped victim’s phoneCallers go to great lengths to keep you on the phoneCallers prevent you from calling or locating the “kidnapped” victimRansom money is only accepted via wire transfer service Anyone who believes that he or she has been targeted in a fake kidnapping scam should follow this protocol: Try to slow the situation down. Request to speak to the victim directly. Ask, “How do I know my loved one is okay?”If they don’t let you speak to the victim, ask them to describe the victim or their vehicleListen carefully to the voice of the kidnapped victim if they speakAttempt to call, text, or contact the victim via social mediaWhile staying on the line with alleged kidnappers, try to call the alleged kidnap victim from another phoneTo buy time, repeat the caller’s request and tell them you are writing down the demand, or tell the caller you need time to get things movingDon’t directly challenge or argue with the callerRequest the kidnapped victim call back from his/her cell phone Complaints can be filed with the FTC here.