FBI Warning on 'Virtual Kidnapping' Scams Raises Concerns as AI Fraud Surges in Ireland

The FBI has issued a warning about criminals using altered social media photos in "virtual kidnapping" scams, a disturbing trend that security experts say could easily target Irish residents given the country's growing vulnerability to AI-powered fraud.

The warning, issued on 5 December 2025, describes how scammers contact victims via text message claiming to have kidnapped a loved one, then send manipulated images or videos as fake "proof of life" to extort ransom payments. The scammers use photos found on social media or other publicly available sites, sometimes employing AI tools to make the images appear genuine.

According to the FBI alert, criminals typically send altered images that may contain subtle inaccuracies such as missing tattoos, incorrect body proportions, or other details that differ from authentic photos. The scammers often use timed message features to limit how long victims can examine the images before they disappear.

The criminals also employ pressure tactics, making urgent threats of violence to prevent victims from thinking clearly or attempting to verify the situation by contacting their loved ones through other means.

While no cases of this specific scam have been publicly reported in Ireland, the warning comes as Gardaí and Irish banking authorities have recorded a significant surge in AI-powered fraud targeting Irish residents.

According to FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland, Gardaí reported a 21 per cent increase in investment scams in the three months to October 2025, with criminals increasingly using AI-generated celebrity endorsements and manipulated images to deceive victims.

In a November 2025 press release about investment fraud, Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime with BPFI, said:

"Scammers are continually finding new and complex ways of luring people into investment scams, often targeting people over 50 who may be looking for an opportunity to top up their finances ahead of retirement or, to boost their current pension."

Last year alone, almost €31 million was stolen through investment fraud in Ireland, up from €14 million in 2021, according to FraudSMART.

In October 2025, Gardaí issued a warning about an AI-generated home intruder prank circulating on social media that resulted in multiple false burglary reports, demonstrating how easily manipulated images can create panic and trigger emergency responses.

Irish people have been identified as among the most sought-after targets for international scam operations, ranking alongside victims from Scandinavia, Canada, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. Analysis by The Irish Times earlier this year revealed that over 11,000 calls were made to Irish phone numbers by a Georgian scam call centre between May 2022 and February 2025.

The FBI advises several precautions to protect against virtual kidnapping scams. People should be mindful when posting missing person information online, as scammers may use these details to contact families with false information. Families are encouraged to establish code words that only they know for use in emergencies.

If contacted by someone claiming to have kidnapped a loved one, the FBI recommends remaining calm and attempting to contact the family member through other means before considering any payment. Victims should screenshot or record any proof-of-life images received, as scammers often send them using features that make the messages disappear after a short time.

The warning emphasises that scammers rely on creating a false sense of urgency to prevent victims from thinking clearly. By slowing down and questioning whether the claims make sense, potential victims can avoid falling for the scam.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a virtual kidnapping scam should report it to their local Garda station. When reporting to Gardaí, people should bring copies of all text messages, images, audio communications and any other relevant information about the interaction.

For investment and financial fraud, victims should also contact their bank immediately and report the incident to FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.

According to the November 2025 FraudSMART press release, Detective Sergeant Niall Smith of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau stated:

"While overall reports of investment fraud have remained consistent with 2024 levels, a concerning 21 per cent increase has been recorded in the three months up to October 2025, with large sums of money reported stolen."

The Central Bank of Ireland has also urged consumers to remain vigilant, warning that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their use of AI technology to create convincing fake scenarios on social media and other digital platforms.

Security experts say the best protection against these evolving scams is maintaining private social media accounts, limiting the personal information shared online, and always verifying unexpected emergency claims through independent channels before taking any action.