FBI warns of kidnapping scams as hackers turn to AI to provide 'proof of life'

A person holding out their hand with a digital AI symbol.

(Image credit: Shutterstock / LookerStudio)

FBI warns criminals are using GenAI deepfakes in kidnapping and extortion scams
Attackers generate fake “proof of life” videos from social media images, demanding ransom payments
Citizens advised to limit online exposure, set family code words, and verify loved ones before paying

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.

How to defend

The scam might not be that widespread, but it’s been around for a little while. The Guardian reported on it two years ago. Still, with AI getting better by the minute, it’s 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.

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Sead is a seasoned freelance journalist based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He writes about IT (cloud, IoT, 5G, VPN) and cybersecurity (ransomware, data breaches, laws and regulations). In his career, spanning more than a decade, he’s written for numerous media outlets, including Al Jazeera Balkans. He’s also held several modules on content writing for Represent Communications.

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