Scammers use artificial intelligence photos of missing pets to steal reward money

Fraudsters are using artificial intelligence to create fake images of missing cats in order to trick owners out of reward money, the Daily Mail reported. Scammers send victims synthetic photos of their lost pets accompanied by detailed stories explaining how the animals were located. [1]

The Daily Mail reported that criminals are demanding wire transfers, gift cards, or cash rewards from pet owners. In some instances, the scammers threaten to kill the missing pets if the owners refuse to pay the requested compensation. [1]

Pet owners across the country have raised alarms about the rise in artificial intelligence fraud. Scammers stole nearly 1.3 billion pounds through fraudulent schemes in 2025, according to the Daily Mail. [1]

Deepfakes are synthetic media such as images, videos, or audio created or edited using artificial intelligence tools. These generated artifacts can depict either real or fictional subjects by combining different media elements. [2]