The FBI is warning the public about a growing scam where criminals take photos shared on social media, alter them, and use them as fake proof of life images during virtual kidnapping attempts.
These warnings come as part of a new public service announcement explaining how scammers pose as kidnappers to pressure victims into paying ransom.
In these cases, no one is actually kidnapped. Instead, scammers send text messages claiming they have taken a family member and demand payment right away. They often use edited photos or videos found online to make their threats look real. The FBI says the scammers usually claim they will harm the victim’s loved one if the money is not sent immediately, creating fear and urgency to stop people from thinking clearly.
The agency explained that the images sent by scammers may look convincing at first, but often contain small mistakes when compared to real photos of the person. Because the pressure is so intense, victims may pay before confirming whether their family member is actually in danger.
To protect yourself, the FBI advises being cautious about what you share online and avoiding giving personal information to strangers, especially while traveling. Families are encouraged to create a secret code word known only to them so they can verify real emergencies. People who post about missing loved ones online should also be alert, as scammers may take advantage of the situation by sending false leads.
The FBI also recommends saving screenshots or recordings of any proof of life images whenever possible. Some scammers send photos through timed messages to limit how long victims can study them, so capturing the images can help investigators later.
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Although the FBI has not released official numbers on how widespread these virtual kidnapping scams are, reports show that many people have already been targeted, including cases where scammers used spoofed phone numbers to make it appear as though the call or message came from a real family member.
