Thanks to AI, it's never been easier for cyber criminals to scam unsuspecting internet users. From "autonomous" AI agents to voice cloning capabilities, scammers now have an array of tools at their fingertips to aid them in their grifts.
Scammers are getting extremely clever with their AI-assisted schemes, too. Case in point: a new report from BBC detailing how scammers are weaponizing AI tools to target pet owners who are searching for their missing dog or cat.
Here's how the scheme works, according to the report.
It appears that scammers are now scouring missing pet social media groups and forums in order to find targets. Using pictures a pet owner posted in hopes to find their missing furry friend, a thief will use AI to generate photos of the animal. The scammer will then reach out to the distraught pet owner and claim they have found them. The scammer will then send the AI-generated pictures as proof.
The pet owner will obviously be in a sensitive and emotional state and look to do anything to be reunited with their dog or cat. The scammer will require a reward and offer to meet up locally to make the trade.
However, as the meetup time gets closer, the scammer will suddenly renege on the deal and demand that the pet owner send them a digital gift card before making the exchange.
Anyone familiar with how online scams work can now see where this is going. Scammers prefer being paid in gift cards because the transactions are irreversible. And obviously, they don't have the lost pet in their possession.
More brazen scammers would even seek out tens of thousands of dollars via wire transfer, BBC reports.
However, according to the reports, skeptical pet owners who would further question the scammer or straight out call their bluff would be met with threats. In some cases, according to the report, desperate scammers would threaten to kill the pet if the owner didn't abide by the demands.
Losing a pet could certainly be a stressful event and scammers are looking to take advantage of the fact that these pet owners aren't thinking clearly once they're told their pet has been found.
To avoid becoming a victim, never send gift cards to strangers who demand them over the internet or text message, regardless of the scenario. It is always a scam, experts warn.