Security News > 2021 > May > FBI warns of scammers targeting families of missing persons
The Federal Bureau of Investigation warned that scammers actively target the vulnerable families of missing persons attempting to extort them using information shared on social media.
"These actors identify missing persons through social media posts and gather information about the missing person and family to legitimize their ransom demands without ever having physical contact with the missing person," the FBI said.
Scammers involved in this type of extortion try to manipulate the missing persons' families via phone calls or text messages into believing their loved ones are in immediate danger or have been abducted.
The scammers will also frequently claim the missing person is injured or ill and can't reach out to their family, thus adding urgency to the situation and pressuring family members to pay ransoms ranging "Between $5,000 and $10,000 in ransom, with $7,000 requested in multiple instances."
Law enforcement has received several reports of scammers targeting families after sharing missing family members' info on social media since COVID-19 nationwide stay-at-home orders have been issued.
Families of missing persons recently targeted in Alaska.