All news with #fbi tag

FBI Alerts on AI-Assisted Fake Kidnapping Video Scams

⚠️ The FBI is warning of AI-assisted fake kidnapping scams that use fabricated images, video, and audio to extort victims. Criminal actors typically send texts claiming a loved one has been abducted and follow with multimedia that appears genuine but often contains subtle inaccuracies. Examples include missing tattoos, incorrect body proportions, and other mismatches, and attackers may use time-limited messages to pressure victims. Observers note the technique is currently of uncertain effectiveness but likely to be automated and scaled as AI tools improve.

FBI Warns of Virtual Kidnapping Scams Using Altered Photos

🔒 The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning that criminals are manipulating images shared on social media to support virtual kidnapping ransom schemes. Scammers contact victims by text, claim a relative has been abducted, and send altered photo or video proof-of-life, sometimes using timed messages to prevent scrutiny. The FBI urges vigilance: avoid sharing travel details, establish a family code word, and capture screenshots or recordings for investigators. BleepingComputer identified multiple social media examples and reports of number spoofing.

CISA, FBI and Partners Issue Guidance on Akira Ransomware

🛡️ CISA, FBI, DC3, HHS and international partners released updated guidance to help organizations mitigate the evolving Akira ransomware threat. The advisory details new indicators of compromise (IOCs) and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by the group, which primarily targets small and medium-sized businesses but has also struck larger organizations across multiple sectors. It strongly urges immediate actions such as regular backups, enforcing multifactor authentication, and prioritizing remediation of known exploited vulnerabilities.

Google: Fraudulent Account Created in Law Enforcement Portal

🔒 Google confirmed that a fraudulent account was created in its Law Enforcement Request System (LERS) portal and has been disabled. The company said no requests were made with the account and no data was accessed. The claim follows posts by a group calling itself "Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters", which also asserted access to the FBI's eCheck system. The actors have previously targeted Salesforce-related infrastructure and taunted security teams.

Fraudulent Account Created in Google's LERS Portal

🔒 Google has confirmed that a fraudulent account was created in its Law Enforcement Request System (LERS) and has been disabled. The company says no requests were made and no data was accessed. The claim was posted by a group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, which also alleged access to the FBI's eCheck system; the FBI declined to comment. The group has a history of high-profile Salesforce-related thefts and has publicly taunted law enforcement and security researchers.