US EditionFBI warning social media users of stolen images being used in fake kidnapping scams
4 Articles
4 Articles
Now the criminals alter the photos or videos they find on social networks or other public websites to use them as false proof of life in a new and dangerous mode of “virtual kidnapping scams” for the purpose of rescuing potential victims. The warning was made this week by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which warned against such criminals, “who pretend to be kidnappers and provide seemingly real photos or videos of the victims, along …
Scam of the day – December 12, 2025 – FBI Warns of Rising Virtual Kidnapping Scams Using AI Voice Cloning and Deepfakes
I have been warning you about phony kidnapping scams, also known as virtual kidnapping, for thirteen years and according to the FBI, the scam is increasing in frequency. Generally, the scam starts with a telephone call informing the person answering the phone that a child or other relative has been kidnapped and if the person receiving the call does not respond by wiring money right away, the relative will be killed. As with so many scams, we…
FBI warns of fake kidnapping scam using altered photos
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an urgent nationwide warning: criminals are now harvesting pictures from social media and public profiles — altering them to create “proof-of-life” images and using those to stage fake kidnappings for ransom. What might look like a desperate plea for help could be nothing more than a cruel scam, and the consequences could be catastrophic if panic overrides prudence. Keep reading to learn how t…
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