FBI warns of virtual kidnapping scams using altered social media photos
In virtual kidnapping ransom scams, the FBI warns of criminals who change photos posted on social media and use them as phony proof of existence.
This is a portion of a public service advertisement that was released today regarding crooks texting victims to demand ransom payments after allegedly kidnapping a family member.
But as the FBI clarified, there is no real kidnapping in virtual kidnapping frauds. Instead, thieves build plausible scenarios to coerce victims into paying ransoms before confirming that their loved ones are safe using altered photos from social media and publicly accessible information.
According to the FBI on Friday, criminal actors usually use text messaging to contact their victims, claiming to have abducted a loved one and demanding payment of a ransom to...