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Sead Fadilpašić

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.
  • 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.

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