FBI offers $20,000 reward for the kidnapping and disappearance of an American woman living in Mexico.
Maria del Carmen Lopez (63), was abducted from her Pueblo Nuevo home in Colima, Mexico on February 9, according to the FBI. Lopez, an American citizen, split her time between Mexico and Southern California.
Her family claims that they were forced to pay a ransom by her kidnappers. They believe she was abducted from her home while she was armed and covered in masked.
“We could hear what sounded to us like a recording her pleading for our help,” Lopez’s daughter Zonia told NBC Nightly News Friday.
According to the Colima prosecutor’s office, Lopez was originally kept out of the public eye in order to protect him. Colima authorities have been working with FBI to ensure that the case is now being handled by the specialized prosecutor of organized crime.
According to NBC Nightly News, Lopez was a targeted kidnapping. A spokeswoman from the FBI stated that Lopez was taken by them. The Los Angeles Field Office is offering $20,000 to anyone with information leading to Lopez’s location.
After four Americans were taken hostage while crossing into Mexico from Matamoros to undergo a medical procedure, there has been increased interest in missing persons cases in Mexico. Two of the victims were killed and two others were safely returned to America.
Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones has apologized for the kidnappings that a senior law enforcement official stated to NBC News officials as legitimate.
Three women who crossed the border from Mexico to buy clothes at a flea marketplace in Montemorelos in Nuevo Leon state, have been missing for almost a month. Two sisters and a friend have been missing since February 24, 2013.
The authorities have not released any details about their case.
