Extortionists recently targeted the parents of a missing West Australian man, Rakoia Battensoli, by sending an AI-generated image of their son alongside a demand for $6,000. According to Montina Delamere, the missing man’s mother, the threat arrived shortly after she shared a public plea for help on social media. While the 23-year-old was later located safe in Perth, the incident highlights a growing trend of scammers weaponizing artificial intelligence to exploit families in crisis.
How AI is lowering the barrier for online extortion
Artificial intelligence has fundamentally altered the landscape of digital crime by making personalized extortion cheaper and more accessible. James Dunn, a cognitive psychologist at the University of New South Wales, notes that AI allows criminals to scrape social media for personal information, which is then used to generate high-pressure, tailored threats.
“It lowers the cost for these scammers to make these scams feel personal,” Dunn said. He contrasted current tactics with the “Nigerian Prince” scams of the past, which relied on generic, mass-distributed messages. Today, scammers use AI to synthesize scraped data into specific, fear-inducing content designed to target individuals during moments of extreme vulnerability.
According to Scamwatch, Australians have reported 61,400 scams so far this year, resulting in total financial losses exceeding A$94.5 million.
Why families of missing persons are being targeted
Scammers are increasingly identifying “secondary victims”—people already suffering from the trauma of a missing loved one—to extract money. Retired Bunbury detective and e-safety expert Kristi McVee describes this as a “massive issue” that preys on the desperate nature of a search effort.
“Many people are going to be secondary victims of it because that poor mother was already a victim of having lost her child and trying to find him,” McVee said. She argues that the sophistication of AI-generated content makes it difficult for families to distinguish between genuine leads and malicious hoaxes, noting that the only way forward is a collaborative effort between companies and apps developers.
How to protect yourself from AI-driven scams
WA Police have issued a formal warning regarding the rise of AI-generated content in criminal schemes. A spokesperson for the force emphasized that AI-generated materials can appear highly realistic and should not be accepted as genuine without verification.
Pro tips for staying safe online:
- Verify the source: Never assume an image or message is authentic just because it looks realistic.
- Avoid immediate payments: Scammers use urgency—such as a 24-hour deadline—to prevent victims from thinking clearly.
- Report to authorities: If you receive a threat, contact local police immediately rather than engaging with the sender.
- Limit social media exposure: Be cautious about the amount of personal information shared while searching for a missing person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AI really create realistic photos of missing people?
Yes. Experts like James Dunn and authorities confirm that scammers are using AI to manipulate and generate images that appear highly realistic to pressure victims into providing money or personal information.
What should I do if I am targeted by an extortionist?
WA Police advise the public to be alert to these tactics and avoid accepting AI-generated content as genuine. If you are threatened, contact the police immediately.
Why are scammers targeting families of missing people?
According to Kristi McVee, scammers target individuals in vulnerable situations because they are more likely to be in emotional turmoil, making them more susceptible to paying money to resolve the perceived threat to their loved one.
Have you or someone you know encountered suspicious activity online? Share your experiences in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on digital safety and cybersecurity trends.
