A disturbing scam involving images generated with artificial intelligence has surfaced in at least three countries, prompting warnings from security experts and a police department in the United States. The scheme targets people already enduring the distress of searching for missing pets.

Scammers take photographs posted on rescue websites or social media, use AI to create new images of the animals, and then claim they have found them. They demand money, prepaid gift cards, or cryptocurrency in exchange for a promised reunion.

One recent case involved Stephanie Young of Birmingham, UK, whose cat Buddy had been missing for months. A person calling herself “Melissa” contacted Young and claimed Buddy was at her house.

Young had shared pictures of Buddy on rescue sites and social media. Those photographs apparently gave the scammer enough material to produce an image that seemed to show the cat sitting in someone’s garden.

The picture was persuasive enough that Young was “100% certain” the animal was hers. She withdrew money for a reward and briefly thought Buddy had chosen a particularly pleasant garden in which to sit.

The promised reunion never happened. When “Melissa” failed to appear at their agreed meeting place, she refused cash and demanded that Young purchase Apple cards instead.

Young then began questioning whether the picture had been generated with AI. The scammer responded by threatening to sell or murder the cat, using fear and urgency in an attempt to force payment.

The scheme does not yet appear to be widespread, but reports indicate that it has crossed international borders. Cases or warnings have emerged in the UK, Australia, Florida, and Connecticut.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s National Anti-Scam Centre told ABC News that it was aware of scammers targeting people with missing pets. One attempt to extort money from a man searching for his Irish wolfhound was foiled by an unrealistic looking dog bowl in the supposed proof image.

“Scammers exploit situations that are urgent or emotionally distressing,” a spokesperson told ABC News. The warning describes how criminals take advantage of an owner’s anxiety and hope when presenting supposed evidence that an animal has been found.

“Scammers use AI-generated images to 'prove' they have the pet and demand money, gift cards or cryptocurrency in exchange for the pet's return.” That approach allows scammers to create apparent visual evidence without possessing the missing animal.

The Norwalk Police Department in Connecticut has also alerted residents. “The Norwalk Police Department is warning its residents about a disturbing scam involving AI-generated images of lost pets,” the department said in a Facebook post.

Police explained that scammers collect photographs of missing animals from social media pages, generate new pictures with AI, and contact owners. They then demand money or prepaid gift cards while claiming the payment will secure the animal’s return.

Authorities recommend arranging any meeting in a public place and bringing a companion if the claim appears credible. Suspicious activity should also be reported to the relevant authorities.

“Be cautious of emotional appeals. Scammers often use urgency and fear to pressure you into acting quickly,” the department advised. It also warned owners: “Verify before you pay. Ask for specific details about where and when your pet was found.”

Police suggested asking the person “to include something specific in the photo (i.e. a note with today’s date)”. However, the source noted that AI can also be instructed to insert such a detail, potentially limiting the value of that test.

The online lost pet service Pawboost recommends asking questions that only someone genuinely holding the animal could answer. These might concern the pet’s personality, a distinctive marking, or the collar it was wearing when it disappeared.

As reports increase, owners are being urged to remain cautious and verify both the identity of anyone contacting them and whether that person truly has the animal. Otherwise, a desperate search could end with money sent for nothing more than a fabricated collection of pixels.