Former Hostage Negotiator Chris Voss Came To Aid Of Beverly Hills Socialite In Virtual Kidnapping

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, a series of virtual (fake) kidnappings were committed in Beverly Hills and Western Los Angeles. Among the victims were socialite, Valerie Sobel.

Former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator Chris Voss came to the immediate aid of his friend, Ms. Sobel after the crime had occurred.

The criminals said they had her daughter and they would cut off her daughter's finger to prove it.  Ms. Sobel heard the sound of a young woman screaming for help & believed it to be her daughter. She was instructed to go to a nearby CVS to wire the money & was told the kidnappers were watching her.  She was kept on the phone with the criminal the entire time per his demands. Afterward, he kept her on the phone until he confirmed receipt of the money.  He said her daughter would be released.

She called her daughter & initially received no answer.  Later she got her on the phone to find she was completely fine & unaware of any wrong doing.

Voss immediately connected Sobel with local FBI officers who are currently investigating the case.

"Virtual kidnapping are on the rapid rise," said Voss. "I instruct people if they receive a call from a virtual kidnapper, immediately hang up the phone and call your local police department."

Christopher Voss is the Founder and CEO of the Black Swan Group Ltd. Christopher was the lead international kidnapping negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as the FBI's hostage negotiation representative for the National Security Council's Hostage Working Group.

To speak with Chris Voss,
Please contact: Aurora DeRose (310) 396-6090 – [email protected].

SOURCE Black Swan Group Ltd.