LINDEN

A text says your loved one has been kidnapped and sends a photo.

Virtual kidnapping scams send a frightening text and an altered photo of someone you love. This post explains how to check and what to do.

Source: This post is based on the public service announcement Criminals Using Altered Proof-of-Life Media to Extort Victims in Virtual Kidnapping for Ransom Scams, published by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) on December 5, 2025.

A text arrives saying someone you love has been kidnapped. It threatens to hurt them unless you pay a ransom right away, and then a photo or video of them appears on your screen. This is a virtual kidnapping scam, and the person is usually safe. Before you pay anything, stop and try to reach your loved one directly, by calling them or someone who is with them.

The FBI warned on December 5, 2025, that criminals are altering photos taken from social media and other public sites to use as fake “proof of life”. It advises families to agree a code word and to always try to contact the loved one before considering any payment.

What the scam looks like

The FBI says the criminals usually make contact by text message, claim they have kidnapped a loved one, and demand a ransom for their release. They often threaten violence if the ransom is not paid immediately.

They then send what appears to be a genuine photo or video of the loved one. The FBI says that, on close inspection, these often do not match real photos of the person, for example missing tattoos or scars, or body proportions that are not right. The criminals sometimes send the images with timed message features, so you have only a short time to look at them.

A frightening message about a family member in trouble is also how grandparent bail scams work.

Who it targets

Anyone with a loved one whose photos can be found online can be targeted. The FBI says the photos are taken from social media or other publicly available sites. It also warns that families posting information about a missing person online may be contacted with fake information about their loved one.

Warning signs

  • A text claiming a family member has been kidnapped, with a demand for ransom.
  • Threats of violence if you do not pay immediately.
  • A photo or video of your loved one that looks slightly wrong, such as a missing tattoo or scar.
  • A picture or video that disappears after a short time.
  • Pressure that leaves no time to check whether the story makes sense.

How to protect yourself

  • Agree a code word. The FBI advises establishing a code word that only you and your loved ones know.
  • Stop and think. The FBI says scammers create a false sense of urgency. Ask yourself whether the claims make sense.
  • Keep a copy of the image. Take a screenshot or recording of any proof-of-life photo whenever possible.
  • Try to reach your loved one first. The FBI says always attempt to contact your loved one before considering paying any ransom.
  • Be careful when posting about a missing person, as scammers may send fake information.
  • Avoid giving personal information to strangers while travelling.

A simple family plan

  • Choose a family code word together and keep it off social media.
  • Share a list of contacts who can quickly confirm where someone is, such as a partner, flatmate or workplace.
  • Agree to call before paying. Nobody sends money for an emergency until they have tried to reach the person directly.
  • Think about what is public. Talk about which photos and travel plans the family shares online.

Scams don’t stop at borders

This alert comes from the United States, but fake kidnapping calls and messages are reported in other countries too, including Canada. Wherever you live, it is worth staying informed and being wise before sending money, especially when someone insists you cannot hang up or check.

The same pattern elsewhere

In Canada, Richmond RCMP warned the public about virtual kidnapping scams on May 25, 2026. It described a caller claiming a loved one had been in an accident or witnessed a crime and was being held, sometimes with a second person playing a distressed family member in the background. The victim is told to bring cash to a location and warned not to hang up or contact anyone. The RCMP advises hanging up and independently calling the loved one or another family member, and says this is exactly what stopped the scam in one recent report.

What to do if you’ve been affected

If you have paid or shared information, please do not feel ashamed. These messages are designed to frighten. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency number where you live. Then:

  • US: report it to the FBI’s IC3, including phone numbers, payment details, messages and the photos you were sent, and report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you are 60 or older and need help filing with IC3, call the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline on 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
  • UK: call 159 to reach your bank (Stop Scams UK) and report to Report Fraud or on 0300 123 2040.
  • Canada: report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police. Richmond RCMP asks anyone with information about similar incidents in Richmond to call 604-278-1212.
  • Contact your bank on the number printed on your card or statement, not a number from the message.

How Linden helps

Linden is being built so older adults and their families can talk a money decision through with someone they trust. When a message says there is no time, having someone to call first can be the moment that shows everyone is safe.

Sources

All scams