A Michigan resident was targeted in an alleged AI-powered extortion scam, according to local police. The man recently received an alarming WhatsApp message containing a video that appeared to show his pickup truck being vandalized in his driveway. The video depicted "several individuals" seemingly slashing the tires of his truck while he was away from home.

Following the video, the sender demanded 500 USD, claiming the payment would prevent further attacks. However, the victim sensed something was amiss and suspected the video might have been generated using artificial intelligence. He wisely refrained from sending any money and promptly contacted the police.

Illustrative photo: AI.

Upon arriving at the scene, police thoroughly inspected the area around the residence but found no evidence of any intruders. A close examination of the pickup truck also revealed no damage whatsoever, confirming the victim's suspicions.

Michigan police now believe the incident was a sophisticated scam, employing manipulated or AI-generated content to intimidate the victim into making a payment. They strongly advise residents to report any similar unsolicited messages to law enforcement. Crucially, they urge individuals not to send money, click on any suspicious links, or reply to such messages.

While the scammers' knowledge of the victim's home address and vehicle type is concerning, this information could have been obtained through publicly available resources like Google Street View. However, their apparent access to additional personal details, including the victim's phone number, raises further alarm.

My Anh (according to Carscoops)