Florida Couple Kidnapped After Facebook Marketplace Home Search

A Chilean-British couple was held for ransom for 48 hours after responding to a fraudulent property listing on Facebook Marketplace in La Florida, Chile, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The incident highlights a growing trend of criminal activity targeting individuals through online marketplaces.

The couple, a Chilean woman and her British husband, encountered the advertisement for a house in La Florida, a commune within the Santiago Metropolitan Region, at an attractive price, according to reports from Chilevisión. They initiated contact with the purported seller and arranged a meeting to view the property, bringing with them the funds intended for the purchase.

Upon arriving at the location, the couple was informed that the house was not for sale. Almost immediately, four individuals intercepted them, forcibly detaining them and transporting them to San Bernardo, another commune in the Metropolitan Region. The perpetrators then demanded a ransom from the couple’s family for their release.

Police investigations identified the perpetrators as belonging to an organization with ties to the Tren de Aragua, a notorious transnational criminal group originating in Venezuela. According to Pagina7, authorities were able to dismantle the organization and rescue the victims, including a Venezuelan citizen who had also been abducted.

The initial reports indicated the woman was released before her husband. BioBioChile reported that the couple was held for a total of 48 hours. The investigation revealed the residence used in the scheme was selected randomly, suggesting a widespread and opportunistic approach by the criminal group.

Authorities have confirmed the arrest of several individuals linked to the kidnapping, including the Venezuelan citizen who was also a victim of the group. The investigation remains ongoing, with police working to determine the full extent of the organization’s activities and identify any additional victims.