Scammers are increasingly targeting pet owners by using artificial intelligence to generate fake images of their missing animals, demanding ransom money and threatening to harm or euthanize the pets if demands are not met. This sophisticated scam, which has been dubbed a form of "cat-fishing," preys on the emotional distress of owners searching for their lost companions.
One incident involved Bill Cosens of Florida, whose beagle mix, Archer, went missing. After posting about his lost dog on social media, Cosens received a call from a woman claiming Archer had been hit by a car and required $2,800 for surgery. The scammer provided AI-generated images of Archer on an operating table, which were created by altering photos Cosens had previously shared online. Cosens became suspicious when he realized the veterinary clinic's address was incorrect and was later reunited with his dog when a neighbor found him.
Similar schemes have been reported elsewhere. In California, a dog owner received a doctored photo of her missing pet along with a message stating the animal needed emergency surgery at a local shelter. The scammers claimed the pet would be euthanized if payment was not made. The San Jose Animal Care & Services confirmed the dog was not at their facility.
These AI-driven scams are part of a growing trend of sophisticated online fraud. The FBI reported that AI-assisted scams were linked to over $893 million in reported losses in 2025. The scams can involve AI voice clones used in kidnapping schemes or fraudsters posing as celebrities in romance scams.
In the UK, a woman named Cam Chauhan was targeted nine months after her cat, Creed, went missing. She received an AI-generated picture of her cat in a garden and was asked to pay a £200 ($269) Apple gift card. When she tried to arrange a meeting, the scammer refused until payment was received, revealing the ruse. Another pet owner, Sarah Robinson, was asked for nearly $54,000 for the return of her cat, Cookie, and was threatened with the animal's death when she refused to pay via a money transfer link.
Authorities and consumer protection agencies warn that a common red flag is the demand for payment through gift cards, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The Federal Trade Commission advises pet owners to be wary of such payment methods. To verify claims, online pet tracker Pawboost suggests requesting proof of the pet through a video call or a video showcasing a unique trait. They also recommend arranging to meet in a public place to confirm the pet's presence and asking specific questions that only someone who has found the pet would know.
Reports of these scams can be made to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.