Scammers use AI-generated images of missing pets to extort owners
SCAM ALERTMalwarebytesredteam/daily · 1 source
- Severity
- Medium
- Sources
- 1
What happened
Criminals are contacting people who have posted about a missing pet, sending AI-generated pictures of an animal and claiming to have found it. They then demand money for its return and sometimes threaten to harm the pet if the owner refuses to pay.
Like I’m new · Written by AI from 1 source · Wrong?
What to do
- Do not pay anyone in advance to secure the return of a pet.
- Keep a distinctive feature of your pet private so you can test a supposed finder's claims.
- Verify any veterinary or shelter claim by calling a number you find yourself, not one in the message.
- Arrange any handover in a safe, public place and confirm it is your pet before paying a reward.
Written by AI from the sources, checked against them
Full story timeline · 1 update
Who reported · 1 outlet
Malwarebytes Labs
Who and what is in it
Companies