Woman arrested in Maitland, charged over hoax kidnapping over a video call

Port Stephens Hunter Police arrested a woman in Maitland early Wednesday morning and charged her over a hoax kidnapping played out over a video call.

A woman will face Maitland Court charged after an alleged hoax kidnapping. Picture: Amy Ziniak

A Port Stephens woman has been accused of staging a hoax kidnapping over a video call, were she appeared to be held against her will by a man.

Port Stephens-Hunter Police arrested a 20-year-old woman at a hotel on High St, at Maitland at about 1.30am on Wednesday.

She was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with conveying false information that a person/property is in danger.

A 20-year-old woman was refused bail.

Police allege at about 10.40pm on Tuesday, the woman was on a video call with relatives when she was handcuffed and appeared to be held against her will by a man.

Relatives contacted police shortly after the call was terminated.

The 20-year-old was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday.

Police are conducting inquiries into the whereabouts of the man.

He’s described as being of caucasian appearance, between 160cm to 170cm tall, with a solid build, brown hair and brown eyes.