Scammers use AI image of missing cat to demand thousands from Utah woman – KUTV

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by David Ochoa, KUTV
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Utah woman said she was emotionally distressed after being targeted by an AI pet scam.
After Elora Nelson’s cat, Cora, went missing Monday, scammers took pictures of the cat and created an AI-generated image showing the cat in surgery.
They then demanded thousands of dollars.
It all started when Nelson got a message from an unfamiliar number Thursday claiming to be a veterinarian and saying a female cat had been brought in for emergency surgery.
“My name is Dr. Stalling,” the message states. “I’m the lead on-call veterinarian here today. I was contacting you in regard to a female cat that was just recently brought into us, ma’am. It is in regard to an animal emergency surgery.”

It all started when Nelson got a message from an unfamiliar number Thursday claiming to be a veterinarian and saying a female cat had been brought in for emergency surgery.

Nelson called the number back, and the caller told her they were trying “to save her life because she was hit by a car,” Nelson said.
She texted the number asking them to prove it was her cat. That’s when they sent the AI-generated image.
The image shows two veterinarians in scrubs and a cat lying on a table connected to surgical equipment.
“In my emotionally heightened state, I didn’t think anything of it,” Nelson said.
And that’s what these scammers hope for because all Nelson was focused on was getting her cat back.
But unfortunately for them, Nelson stopped to think about it.
“He called me back again. This time, he was demanding payment of more than $2,700,” Nelson said.

“My name is Dr. Stalling,” the message states. “I’m the lead on-call veterinarian here today. I was contacting you in regard to a female cat that was just recently brought into us, ma’am. It is in regard to an animal emergency surgery.”

She then called the veterinary office directly to ask about the situation.
“They said, ‘No, do not give this man any money. We don’t do emergency surgeries, and he had scammed somebody out of $4,000 already,’” Nelson said. “I just became really angry. That is emotionally distressing to see an image like that and think it’s real.”
Nelson is now warning people to be careful because AI is advancing quickly and can be used in harmful ways.
She also pointed to the growing number of data centers and said people should be cautious because “the laws are not keeping up with how fast AI is developing.”
“If you see something, always question it,” she said.
There have been reports of similar scams happening across the country. Even the veterinarian Nelson spoke with said the office had seen a few instances itself.
And on top of all of this, Cora is still missing, and Nelson is still hoping she will come home.
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