Scammers use AI-generated images of missing pets to extort owners
Source: Malwarebytes Labs
At a glance
When your pet goes missing, it can be totally heartbreaking. So hearing that they’ve been found is no doubt very welcome news. Even better to see a photo of them looking safe and well. But while the photo may look exactly like your pet, that doesn’t mean the person who sent it has your pet or even ever saw it. The BBC reports how criminals are sending owners AI-generated images of their missing pets, demanding money for their return, and sometimes threatening to harm the animals when owners refuse to pay. The BBC interviewed two targets of this scam who were both contacted after posting a mis…