FBI issues warning to US-bound travellers as virtual kidnapping fraud spikes

In case, you are going to the USA, an important safety alert is there for you which you should not neglect. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has come up with a disturbing warning regarding a new scam, which they called virtual kidnapping, in which the criminals alter photos and videos to get the victims to think that their loved ones have been taken away.

Per the FBI, the scammers are now most frequently resorting to digitally altered “proof-of-life” pictures—mainly taken from social media and sometimes even stolen—to escalate the panic among the victims and extort the money immediately. These manipulated images look incredibly real, thus making it difficult for people to see the trick.

How the Scam Works

Initially, the scam is carried out through a phone call or text message reporting the kidnapping of a family member.

Next, the con men:

• Make threats with violence in order to instill fright
• Demand immediate payment
• Send edited photos or videos of the “kidnapped” person
• Use self-destructing messages to create a short verification period
• The victims lose their heads and eventually pay the ransom without checking the safety of their loved ones.

How to Protect Yourself

The FBI has provided essential safety measures for tourists and their families:

🔹 Always keep your personal data hidden from strangers, especially while on the road.

🔹 Set up a secret code word with your closest relatives—only the two of you and they should know it.

🔹 Hold on, and think before you do anything; scammers depend on fear and speed.

🔹 Even if the caller tells you not to, try to call your relative right away.

🔹 Analyze the images—pictures/videos might be missing some tattoos, or there might be scars, or the body proportions might be odd.

🔹 Take a screenshot or record any visuals or messages sent by the scammer.

FBI, on the other hand, is also warning that families posting online about missing persons should be on guard since scammers may take advantage of that information as well.

What to Do If You Are Targeted

In case, you think that you have been contacted by virtual kidnappers, do report everything—phone numbers, ransom instructions, screenshots, and fake media—right away to the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

The best way to protect yourself against digital scams that are getting more sophisticated is to remain calm, alert, and prepared.