The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning Americans to be on high alert for a fast-growing virtual kidnapping scam where criminals steal photos from social media, alter them, and use them as “proof-of-life” to convince victims that a loved one is in danger.
According to a public service announcement released on December 5, the scheme involves scammers sending doctored images or AI-generated videos along with demands for ransom payments to victims, claiming they have abducted a family member.
While the images or videos may appear authentic at first glance, federal investigators emphasize that no actual abduction is taking place. Instead, criminals rely on panic and urgency to push victims into paying before they can verify the situation.
How The Scam Works
According to the FBI, scammers typically reach out via text, saying they have taken a family member and will harm them unless a ransom is paid immediately. To make the message more convincing, they send an altered photo or video of the supposed victim.
“Criminal actors typically will contact their victims through text message claiming they have kidnapped their loved one and demand a ransom be paid for their release,” the FBI said in the announcement on Friday.
“Oftentimes, the criminal actor will express significant claims of violence towards the loved one if the ransom is not paid immediately. The criminal actor will then send what appears to be a genuine photo or video of the victim’s loved one, which upon close inspection often reveals inaccuracies when compared to confirmed photos of the loved one.”
To further limit scrutiny, scammers sometimes use disappearing message features, giving victims only seconds to view them and increasing the pressure to act immediately.
Why Social Media Posts Make It Easier
The FBI notes that criminals often pull images from platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok that have publicly available posts, such as vacation photos, selfies, and even missing-person flyers shared by families online. Criminals can even browse a user’s profile, learn the names and faces of family members, and infer travel plans or daily routines.
In situations involving real missing persons, scammers may exploit anxious relatives by sending fake “updates” or altered photos with false claims about the missing person’s condition or location.
How To Stay Safe
The FBI advises the public to pause and assess before reacting to any ransom demand. Key safety tips include:
- Try contacting your loved one immediately using a known number before considering any payment.
- Be cautious when sharing missing-person posts online — scammers may use them to send false leads.
- Don’t give personal details to strangers, especially when you are traveling.
- Create a secret family code word to confirm real emergencies quickly.
- Remember: scammers rely on panic. Pause and ask yourself if their claims seem realistic.
- Save screenshots or recordings of any “proof-of-life” images you receive, especially if they vanish after viewing.
What To Do If You Are Targeted
Anyone who receives a suspicious kidnapping message is urged to:
- Call 911 if someone appears to be in immediate danger
- Save all messages, images, screenshots, phone numbers, and payment details
- Report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov
Bottom Line
Virtual kidnapping scams work because they prey on fear. The FBI’s advice is simple: pause, verify, and report. These steps can protect both you and your family from an increasingly sophisticated form of digital extortion.
