Mexico arrests two men who allegedly 'catfished' victims on Internet to kidnap, kill

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Mexican police said on Wednesday they have arrested two gang members who used women to lure victims on social media for kidnappings -- killing most victims even after the ransom was paid.

The gang is accused of carrying out 12 kidnappings related to the scheme. Mexican officials said the gang would hold victims for ransom and kill most victims regardless of whether the ransom was paid.

"This criminal organization is characterized by its high level of violence, because once money that would free the victims was delivered, in most cases they were deprived of life," Mexican Federal Police lead investigator Omar Garcia Harfuch said during a press conference.

The two arrested were identified as Rafael "N," the suspected leader of the gang, and a woman, Isela Reyna "N." They were arrested in Coatzacoalcos in the state of Veracruz in southern Mexico, El Economista reports.

Garcia Harfuch said the woman arrested is the one who lured victims to locations where they were taken hostage by the gang.