A 44-year-old man pretended to have been kidnapped to demand Q80,000 from his own family in El Paternal, La Democracia, Huehuetenango, but was captured along with another person involved during an operation by the National Civil Police (PNC).
The authorities identified the detainees as Rafael “N”, 44 years old, and Neftalí “N”, 18, who were surprised at the place where the ransom would supposedly be paid to free the alleged victim.
According to the police investigation, the case began during the early hours of this Wednesday, May 13, when Rafael left his home, at approximately 3:00 a.m., aboard a motorcycle taxi with plates M-524BRN and told his relatives that he was going on a trip.
Family reported disappearance
Hours later, family members reported to the PNC that they were unable to communicate with Rafael and reported his disappearance. Subsequently, the man’s son received phone calls in which an alleged kidnapper demanded Q80,000 to free him.
After the complaint, agents from the 43rd police station coordinated a strategic operation to locate those responsible and prevent the delivery of the money.
The alleged victim made the calls
During the operation, investigators discovered that Rafael himself was pretending to be kidnapped and allegedly used a cell phone to make extortion calls to his relatives.
He faked kidnapping to demand Q.80 thousand from his own family; PNC captures two involved in the incident
“Victim” and alleged kidnapper arrested
Two men who faked a kidnapping to demand Q.80 thousand from relatives of the alleged victim, in the village of El Paternal, La Democracia pic.twitter.com/wt1DqNeJj4
— PNC of Guatemala (@PNCdeGuatemala) May 14, 2026
The PNC indicated that Neftalí “N” pretended to be the negotiator of the alleged kidnapping and participated in the demands for money.
Both were detained at the point where they expected to receive payment.
The authorities also located the motorcycle taxi used by Rafael abandoned in an area of the Camojallito village, in the same municipality.
According to the PNC, the vehicle would have been left in that place to reinforce the version of the alleged kidnapping.
According to the investigations, Rafael “N” left his home at 3:00 in the morning aboard the motorcycle taxi with plates M-524BRN, indicating that he would make a trip. Hours later, family members reported his disappearance to the PNC after failing to contact him. pic.twitter.com/VHpHFEgBbL
— PNC of Guatemala (@PNCdeGuatemala) May 14, 2026
The investigators indicated that Rafael was in normal condition at the time of being located and was carrying the cell phone that he would have used for the alleged negotiation with his family.
PNC coordinated strategic operation
The capture was achieved after the Police activated investigation and monitoring protocols after the complaint filed by relatives.
The case was under investigation to determine possible crimes related to simulation of kidnapping and extortion.
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