Scammers have targeted the parents of a missing West Australian man, using an AI-generated image to demand a ransom in exchange for his safety.
23-year-old Rakoia Battensoli, who has autism, went missing for about two weeks when his mother, Montina Delamere, shared a social media post in search of her son.
Just hours after she pleaded for members of the public to look out for him, both she and Rakoia’s father received an AI-generated image of him and a text message demanding money.
“You gonna wire us $6,000 within 24 hrs or we cut off his neck and sell his body parts,” the message read
He has since been found safe and well in Perth, 168 kilometres north of his home in Bunbury.
Montina, who lives in New South Wales, shared her disbelief saying, “How could you do this to anybody?”
“I was worried for my baby, but I had a feeling he was OK.
“But there’s people out there that would be in turmoil and they would probably send people like that the money.”
According to Scamwatch, there have been 61,400 scams reported across the country this year, with Australians losing more than $94.5 million.
Retired Bunbury detective and e-safety expert Kristi McVee said these scams were “massive issue” as they are become more “sophisticated” with AI.
“Members of the public should be aware that AI-generated content can appear highly realistic and should not automatically be accepted as genuine,” a WA Police spokesperson said.
“Offenders use [AI] material to pressure victims into providing money, personal information or access to accounts and devices.”
Image: Montina Delamere/ ABC
