Eaton County Sheriff warns of AI scams using fake deputy images

The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office warned residents this weekend about a rise in scams where fraudsters use AI-generated images of deputies and spoofed phone numbers to demand cryptocurrency payments. Scammers often pair these calls with photos of a fake officer standing next to a cryptocurrency machine and invent fictitious deputy names to create a false sense of authority.

Investigators noted that a common giveaway in the fake images is the deputy wearing the wrong-colored uniform. Scammers also employ scare tactics, such as threatening victims with outstanding warrants, missed jury duty, or the arrest of a family member, to pressure them into acting quickly.

Experts advise residents to look for behavioral red flags, such as urgent requests for money, and to check for visual inconsistencies in AI-generated content. The Sheriff’s Office stressed that law enforcement will never contact residents by phone to demand payment, fines, bond money, or cryptocurrency, and recommended that anyone receiving such a call hang up immediately.

Read the full story at wilx.com.