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   FBI warns of kidnapping scams as hackers turn to AI to provide 'proof of life'   
      
   Date:   
   Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:30:00 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   AI-generated deepfake videos are being used as "proof" someone was kidnapped.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Hackers are using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to create   
   convincing deepfake videos which are then used as proof of life in kidnapping   
   and extortion scams.    
      
   This is according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which   
   recently released a new Public Service Announcement (PSA), warning citizens   
   not to fall for the trick.    
      
   Here is how the scam works: the criminals will pick a target and scour social   
   media and other sources for images and videos. If they find enough   
   information, they will source it into an AI tool to create videos and images   
   depicting their targets loved ones as kidnapped. Then, they will reach out to   
   the victims and demand an immediate ransom payment in order to release their   
   hostage.    
      
   The scam might not be that widespread, but its been around for a little    
   while. The Guardian reported on it two years ago. Still, with AI getting   
   better by the minute, its safe to assume these scams are getting more common,   
   prompting a reaction from the FBI.    
      
   The FBI also said that these photos and videos are not perfect. With a little   
   pixel hunting, they can be identified as fake. However, crooks know this too,   
   so the messages they send are usually timed and expire before any meaningful   
   analysis can be done.   
      
   Examples of these inaccuracies include missing tattoos or scars and    
   inaccurate body proportions, the PSA reads. Criminal actors will sometimes   
   purposefully send these photos using timed message features to limit the   
   amount of time victims have to analyze the images.    
      
   To defend against these attacks, the FBI first suggests citizens be more   
   mindful about their privacy: when posting photos online, or when providing   
   personal information to strangers while traveling. Then, they suggest they   
   establish a code word only they know and, most importantly - try to contact   
   the loved ones before making any payments.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/fbi-warns-of-kidnapping-scams-as-hacker   
   s-turn-to-ai-to-provide-proof-of-life   
      
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