A masked scoundrel has tried to kidnap a nine-year-old boy outside a school by offering him $1,000 to get into his car.
Mother Belinda Van Steeg, 45, said the stranger offered her son a huge sum of money to lure him to his white car near Bellaire Primary School on Cuthbert Ave in Geelong on Tuesday.
The boy was left “scared and frightened” by the ordeal.
His mother said the boy “went into panic mode” and rode straight home and the incident was reported to police.
Belinda Van Steeg, 45, said the creep offered her son $1000 and demanded he get into the white car near Bellaire Primary School (pictured) on Cuthbert Ave in Geelong, Victoria, on Tuesday.
“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” said Mrs van Steeg. the Geelong Advertiser.
“(My son) said he was wearing a mask and I couldn’t see his face.”
Bellaire Elementary School has informed parents about the incident.
A Department of Education spokesperson confirmed that a report had been made “in which a male student was approached by a student near the school.”
“The school advised the child’s mother to contact Victoria Police and communicated with the school community about ways students can be safe on the way to and from school,” he said.
‘Student safety is always our number one priority, and while we have no reason to believe at this time that this is more than a one-time event, it is a timely reminder for parents to reinforce safety messages for their children. ‘
His mother said the boy “went into panic mode” and rode straight home and the incident was reported to the police (file image)
Van Steeg said not much can be done without a license plate number and a detailed description of the person, but he hopes talking about it will raise awareness.
He said parents often teach their children about “stranger danger” without thinking that these things can happen in a split second.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Victoria Police for comment.