Overview
- An FBI public service alert issued Dec. 5 warns that scammers alter social‑media photos to pose as kidnappers and demand quick ransom payments.
- Victims typically receive text messages with threats of violence and AI‑manipulated images or videos meant to mimic real‑time proof of life.
- Closer checks often reveal digital tells such as missing tattoos or scars, warped proportions, unusual lighting, or other inconsistencies.
- The FBI advises setting a private family code word, limiting travel‑related sharing, attempting to contact the alleged victim, and preserving screenshots, numbers, communications, and payment records.
- Photos scraped from Facebook, LinkedIn, and X are commonly used, and in a separate holiday fraud advisory the bureau urged people to pause under pressure and report incidents to IC3.