A shocking case of extortion has come to light in Houston, Texas, where a Mexican national allegedly ran a fake kidnapping ransom scheme that targeted nearly 40 victims across several states.
Ismael Brito Ramirez, 38, also known as Mike Ramirez, is currently incarcerated in Mexico on unrelated charges. However, he has been hit with a 13-count indictment by a federal grand jury in Houston for allegedly running the fake kidnapping ransom extortion scheme. The indictment was returned on an unspecified date, but the scheme is believed to have taken place in 2015.
According to the indictment, Ramirez used Mexican telephone numbers to call numerous victims in Texas, California, and Idaho, falsely representing that he had kidnapped their children. He then demanded money for the safe release of the victim’s child, threatening to cause bodily harm to the family member or child if the victim disconnected from the line or did not comply with his demands.
The indictment alleges that victims were typically instructed to wire money to individuals in Mexico. However, two victims were allegedly directed to make money drops at specified locations in Houston on September 17, 2015, and September 30, 2015, respectively. Both were told their daughters had been kidnapped because they had witnessed a crime, and that if they failed to comply with the caller’s instructions, their daughters’ fingers would be cut off.
The victims paid a total of approximately $28,000 to the alleged kidnappers. Ramirez is charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, interstate transmission of extortionate communications, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder money. All of the charges carry a possible 20-year-maximum prison term upon conviction.
U.S. Attorney Ryan J. Patrick warned victims to report these types of schemes even if they know they are fake, as extortionists count on victims’ fear during the calls and embarrassment afterwards to not notify authorities. If you get a call like this, hang up and contact your loved one and law enforcement immediately.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI – Los Angeles Field Office, IRS – Criminal Investigation, police departments in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Los Angeles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Suh is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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