Scammers using AI images of missing pets to extort reward money

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 11:21 · Archive

Fraudsters are using AI-generated images of missing pets to demand reward money and gift cards from owners, threatening to kill animals if demands are not met.

Scammers are targeting vulnerable pet owners by using artificial intelligence to generate fake images of missing animals, then demanding reward money and threatening violence if refused. The fraudsters create detailed backstories about where they found the pets and how they have cared for them, building trust before revealing their demands.

Stephanie Young from Birmingham was contacted after her cat Buddy went missing in September. A woman calling herself Melissa sent an AI-generated image claiming she had found Buddy and wanted reward money for her autistic grandchildren. Young was convinced the image showed her cat and agreed to meet the woman to collect him, but the person never turned up and instead demanded 100 Apple gift cards. When Young questioned the authenticity of the image and discovered it was AI-generated, the scammer responded with threats to kill or sell her pet.

Another victim, Neena Chauhan, was contacted via WhatsApp in April about her mother's missing cat Creed, who had disappeared in July. The scammer claimed to have cared for the cat for four months and used a deep fake image created from the original missing poster, requesting a £200 Apple gift card. Fraud cases in the UK have surged as criminals exploit artificial intelligence, with almost £1.3bn stolen by scammers in 2025.

Scammers using AI images of missing pets to extort reward money — Image: Daily Mail

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How it is being reported

Scammers turn to AI to generate fake pictures of missing cats in bid to fleece owners of reward cashVulnerable pet owners from across the country are sounding the alarm amid a rise in AI-generated fraud, with almost £1.3billion stolen by scammers in 2025.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 11:00
Scammers using AI-generated images of missing pets to demand reward moneyOwners says threats to kill their cats unless they sent money left them angry and terrified.BBC News · 4 Nov, 00:44

In this story: Stephanie Young · Buddy · Neena Chauhan · Creed · Birmingham · UK

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log