MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican tennis federation said Wednesday it had canceled a junior tournament in the central state of Guanajuato after 10 players, all minors, and a coach were victims of a “virtual” kidnapping.

Virtual kidnapping is an extortion scheme that tricks victims into paying a ransom to release a family member they believe is under threat of violence or death. Unlike traditional kidnappings, virtual kidnappers, some from prisons, do not kidnap anyone, but try to deceive to achieve their goal.

The J30 or Juniors 30 tournament, the lowest ranked tournament under the umbrella of the International Tennis Federation, was held in the city of Irapuato.

The players and their coach are from the central state of Queretaro and have all returned home, the Mexican federation said.

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