The FBI issued a public service announcement warning that criminals are using manipulated social media images as fake proof-of-life photos in virtual kidnapping scams demanding ransom.
These scams involve criminals contacting victims by text message, falsely claiming to have kidnapped a family member and demanding a ransom. The FBI clarified that no actual abduction takes place. Instead, criminals use manipulated images from social networks and
publicly available information to create convincing scenarios. This is designed to pressure victims into paying ransoms quickly, preventing them from verifying the loved one's safety.
The FBI stated that criminal actors usually contact victims via text claiming to have kidnapped their loved one and demanding payment for release. They often make violent threats if the ransom is not paid immediately. The criminal then sends what looks like a genuine photo or video of the loved one, which upon closer inspection often reveals inaccuracies when compared to confirmed photos.
The law enforcement agency advises the public to be cautious of scammers who create a false sense of urgency and to carefully assess the validity of the kidnappers' claims. To defend against these scams, the FBI recommends several protective measures. These include avoiding sharing personal information with strangers while traveling and establishing a code word known only to the family for use during emergencies.
When sharing information about missing persons online, people should remain vigilant since scammers might reach out with false details. The FBI also suggests taking screenshots or recording proof-of-life photos whenever possible for later investigation. This is important because scammers sometimes use timed message features to limit the time victims have to analyze the images. Although the FBI did not provide statistics on how widespread this fraud is, similar scams have been reported where victims were targeted using their loved ones' spoofed phone numbers.
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