Scammers are blackmailing individuals by creating fake nude photos using artificial intelligence and demanding money to prevent their distribution. Victims are threatened via messengers and phone calls, with ransom demands averaging 40,000 rubles.

The fake photos, created using as few as three or four pictures found on social media, closely resemble the victim.

T-Bank reports that the scammers threaten to post the images on adult websites or send them to the victim’s contacts if payment is not received.

The majority of victims are between the ages of 23 and 30.

The bank advises against negotiating with the blackmailers and recommends reporting the incidents to the police.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs advises individuals to pretend to be an unsuitable victim, ignore calls, and avoid initiating conversations with potential scammers. They also suggest responding in unusual ways to confuse them.