It appears that New York City residents who called the cops on an apparent kidnapping were duped by an elaborate kidnapping hoax staged for a birthday party.

In the Washington Heights neighborhood, a woman apparently screamed as men forced her and a male companion into a minivan Friday night. Witnesses say that the men were lying in wait in the minivan and looked very suspicious, given that they were wearing masks covering their faces in relatively warm weather, reports CNN.

Police were called to the scene, but quickly determined that the kidnapping was not what it seemed.

A surveillance camera caught the entire incident and it certainly looked real. There were masked men, weapons, and a quick get-away. But police determined that it was all a joke staged for friends to celebrate a birthday, reports CNN.

Police announced Monday – April Fool’s Day, no less – that those behind the hoax have come forward, and there will no charges filed.

The pranksters got off lucky. Similar hoaxes have been known to result in criminal charges, such as for:

  • Public disturbance. If your joke creates a disturbance at the expense of local residents and businesses, you could be charged with a charged with a misdemeanor for disturbing the peace.
  • False report of a crime. Involving the police and authorities in your hoax is a very bad idea. While a “swatting” prank or other elaborate joke may seem like a good idea to get back at someone, making that call could land you in jail.
  • Assault/Robbery. If you actually lay hands on an unwitting participant, that victim of your joke may pursue very real criminal charges against you.

Also keep in mind that if a bystander or Good Samaritan intervenes in the hoax and gets injured, you could be sued for the injuries and damages that result. Yet another reason to think twice before pulling off a kidnapping hoax or any other type of joke that has the potential to legally backfire.

Related Resources:

  • Abduction Caught on Tape Could Be ‘Birthday’ Hoax, Police Say (ABC News)
  • Can a Hoax Blog Result in Criminal Charges for Blogger? (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Balloon Boy Hoax: Heene Parents to Plead Guilty (FindLaw’s Blotter)
  • Could Fake Hurricane Sandy Tweets Lead to Criminal Charge? (FindLaw’s Legally Weird)

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