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

A Utah woman, Elora Nelson, was targeted by scammers who used an AI-generated image of her missing cat, Cora, to fabricate an emergency surgery scenario. The scammers contacted Nelson claiming the cat had been brought in for emergency surgery after being hit by a car and sent an AI-generated image depicting the cat on a surgical table. Nelson initially believed the image was real but later verified with the veterinary office that no such surgery was taking place and that the caller had already scammed another victim. The scammers demanded over $2,700, which Nelson refused to pay after confirming the fraud.

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