Authorities in several countries have reported a rising tactic in which fraudsters use images produced by artificial intelligence (AI) to convince owners that their missing dogs or cats have been found, then demand money or gift cards. The BBC covered multiple incidents, and police departments as well as security experts have issued warnings.
One documented case involved Stephanie Young in Birmingham. After months of searching for her missing cat (referred to in reports as Buddy), someone calling herself “Melissa” contacted Young and claimed to have the cat. Because Young had posted photos of her pet on social media, the perpetrators asked an AI tool to generate an image resembling the original — for example, the cat sitting in a garden — and presented that image as proof. Convinced the photo showed her pet, Young prepared a reward. The supposed finder failed to appear at the agreed meeting, then asked for an Apple gift card instead of cash and later threatened to sell or kill the animal. The cat has not been recovered and the alleged scammer disappeared.
Similar attempts have been reported in Australia, where ABC News described a case that ultimately failed because a dog bowl in the picture looked unnaturally artificial, raising suspicion. The United States has seen reports from Florida and Connecticut as well; local police posted on Facebook to warn that scammers can generate fake images of missing pets using AI to trick owners.
Police and expert advice
- If someone claims to have your missing animal, arrange to meet in a public place and bring another person with you.
- Report any suspicious messages or demands to the authorities.
Pawboost, an online service that helps reunite lost pets with owners, recommends asking questions only someone actually holding the animal could answer — for instance, details about the animal’s unique markings, distinguishing features, or the collar it was wearing when it disappeared. These specifics can help owners detect false claimants.
Why this matters
The scam leverages publicly shared photos from social media: fraudsters can quickly create convincing forgeries with AI tools and use them to pressure grieving owners into paying. The cases illustrate how automatically generated content can facilitate deception, and underscore the importance of verification and caution when someone contacts you claiming to have your beloved pet.
Authorities and experts urge pet owners to be vigilant: verify claims in public, demand identifying details only the true finder could know, and report suspected scams to the police or local lost‑pet services.
