Cyber Kidnapping Is a Growing Trend in the US

Cyber kidnapping has emerged as a troubling trend in recent years, using advanced digital tactics to instill fear, disrupt lives and extort money from unsuspecting individuals. Unlike traditional kidnappings that involve physical captivity, cyber kidnappers exploit digital connections to create scenarios of perceived threats or harm to loved ones. 

With the digital world becoming integral to our daily routines, it’s essential to understand cyber kidnapping, recognize the warning signs, and know how to protect yourself and your family from this virtual coercion.

What Is Cyber Kidnapping?

Cyber kidnapping generally refers to situations where cybercriminals manipulate someone by claiming to have “kidnapped” a loved one. This might sound like a scene from a thriller movie, but it’s increasingly common and easier to pull off in the digital age. 

Criminals might use publicly accessible information from social media and other online sources to make their threats sound credible. By accessing names, locations or even recent family activities, cyber kidnappers attempt to convince their victims that a loved one is in immediate danger unless they pay a ransom.

For instance, a parent may receive a call or message claiming that their child is in captivity, with realistic-sounding demands for money to guarantee the child’s safe return. These schemes have taken various forms in recent years, such as voice-cloning technology to imitate family members and detailed personal data to craft convincing stories. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reported an increase in these kinds of scams in the U.S., warning that cyber kidnapping is on the rise.

How Does Cyber Kidnapping Work?

Cyber kidnappers exploit several tactics to appear convincing and instill panic. First, they gather as much personal information as possible on their target. Social media platforms are gold mines for cybercriminals who seek details about your family, friends and routine. 

Many people unknowingly share enough information online to allow a determined scammer to construct a believable story. As a result, these criminals can leverage facts from recent vacations, birthdays or other family events.

Once they have the information, cyber kidnappers will reach out via phone calls, texts or social media messages, often using urgent language to pressure their targets into acting quickly without verifying the situation. 

Who Is at Risk for Cyber Kidnapping?

Cyber kidnapping doesn’t discriminate. Whether you’re a professional, student or retiree, anyone active online is a risk. However, certain factors make individuals more susceptible to cyber kidnappers. 

For instance, those who frequently share their whereabouts, activities, and close relationships online make it easier for cybercriminals to build a realistic profile and customize their scams.

Families are also prime targets, as they often share photos, tag locations and post updates about their lives. The younger generation — who may be less cautious about privacy settings on social media — can inadvertently expose valuable information about their families. But it’s not just the digitally savvy who are at risk — older adults who are less familiar with evolving digital threats are also among the most vulnerable cyber victims. 

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Cyber Kidnapping

To protect yourself, it’s crucial to recognize the red flags or signs associated with cyber kidnapping schemes:

• Urgency and fear tactics: Cyber kidnappers typically start with intense urgency, using phrases like “Do not call anyone else” or Time is running out.” This tactic is designed to prevent you from double-checking facts or calling authorities.

• Detailed personal information: A cyber kidnapper may mention specific family details — such as a loved one’s name, age or recent events — to make their claims believable. Much of this information can be pulled from social media or public records.

• Unclear identification: A lack of verifiable evidence — such as the inability to provide a real-time video or photo — is another warning sign.

• Untraceable payment requests: Requests for ransom in cryptocurrency, gift cards or digital wallet payments are a red flag. These methods are hard to trace, making it nearly impossible to recover funds once transferred.

If you receive a message or call that seems suspicious, take a moment to assess the situation calmly. Cyber kidnappers thrive on panic and rapid compliance. If you’re uncertain, attempt to contact the family member or friend through other channels before acting on any instructions from the potential scammer.

What To Do if You Receive a Cyber Kidnapping Threat

If you’re confronted with a cyber kidnapping threat, follow these steps:

• Stay calm: Panic is the primary tool cyber kid nappers use to manipulate you. By remaining calm, you’re less likely to fall into their trap.

• Verify the claim: Try to contact the family member or loved one directly. Use an alternate phone number or communication method to avoid interfering with the potential scam. You can also ask someone else in the household to contact them for you.

• Document the interaction: Record details about the cyber kidnapping attempt, including phone numbers, email addresses and the ransom demand. This information can be valuable for authorities.

• Report to authorities: Contact your local police department or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Reporting the incident helps track these scams and prevents future cases.

• Do not share personal information: Avoid giving out any personal details, especially information that could further compromise your safety and privacy. Scammers may attempt to gain even more information during your conversation.

• Avoid payment: Complying with ransom demands finances criminal activity and increases the risk of future targeting. Government agencies — including the FBI — strongly advise against paying ransoms.

How To Protect Yourself From Cyber Kidnapping

Given the rise of cyber kidnapping in the U.S., staying proactive about online safety is essential. Here are some effective strategies:

• Limit social media sharing: Avoid sharing personal details, locations, or photos that might give cyber kidnappers more information than they need. Regularly review privacy settings on all your accounts.

• Use strong passwords: Ensure all your online accounts, including email and social media, are secured with strong, unique passwords. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for added security. 

• Educate family members: Talk to your family about the dangers of oversharing online. Kids and teens are particularly vulnerable, so encouraging privacy best practices can help protect everyone.

• Be cautious with unknown calls: If you receive a call from an unknown number claiming a family emergency, don’t provide personal information. Verify claims through trusted channels before taking action.

• Create a unique family password: Set up a password known only to immediate family members and trusted contacts. If someone claims to have kidnapped a loved one, asking for the password can reveal if it’s real of a scam.

How AI Deepfakes Are Fueling Cyber Scams

As AI technologies advance, cybercriminals are finding innovative ways to exploit these tools in new — and sometimes disturbing — scams. 

One prominent example is deepfake technology, where criminals manipulate benign photos or videos to create realistic but entirely fabricated content. Due to this, the FBI issued a warning to the public, highlighting how cybercriminals employ deepfakes to make scams — particularly sextortion schemes — appear more credible and terrifying.

These AI-driven scams take advantage of our growing digital footprints and the ease of sharing personal content online. With just a few images or videos, criminals can fabricate convincing “evidence” of compromising situations, pressuring victims to pay ransoms or comply with demands to avoid public embarrassment. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also reported that in 2022 alone, impostor scams were among the top reported cybercrimes, amounting to losses of $2.6 billion. This staggering figure reflects the financial impact and the psychological toll on victims caught in these highly sophisticated, AI-enabled schemes.

Understanding the role of AI technologies like deepfakes in cyber scams is crucial for individuals concerned about cyber kidnapping. These tools make it easier for criminals to build believable threats, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and proactive digital safety measures.

Stay Vigilant Against Cyber Kidnapping

Cyber kidnapping is a disturbing trend that leverages digital information and fear to prey on unsuspecting individuals. 

As digital footprints grow, so does the risk of encountering cyber scams, including cyber kidnapping. By staying informed, practicing online safety and recognizing the signs of cyber kidnapping, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these manipulative schemes. 

Remember, vigilance and awareness are your best defenses against cyber threats. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, staying calm and informed will make all the difference.