Greg's Corner

Disturbing misuse of missing girl’s image in scam

By Greg Collier

Last year, the abduction and subsequent discovery of a 9-year-old New York girl captivated the nation. Her safe return was a relief to many, but now, months later, her photo is being exploited in a series of deceptive Facebook posts. These posts have appeared in groups from the US to Australia, and are spreading misinformation about her still being a missing person.

The first of these misleading posts surfaced on July 4th in a US-based swap and save group, quickly amassing 28,000 shares. Identical posts have since appeared in similar Facebook groups all around the world, garnering thousands of shares and spreading the false narrative globally.

This misuse of the girl’s image is not just a harmless mistake but part of a more sinister trend. Scammers use these emotionally charged posts to manipulate public sympathy and gain widespread attention. These posts initially attract concern and shares, but scammers later alter them into deceptive ads or links.

So, naturally, we all want to help when a child is reported missing, and we still can. However, before sharing a post, it’s important to ensure it comes from a credible source. For instance, if the post is from a local news station, a police department, or an established organization like The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), it is likely to be legitimate.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, the BBB advises checking the source of the post, looking for any updates or corrections, and being wary of posts that ask for personal information or direct users to click on external links. If you encounter such a post, report it to the platform to help prevent further spread.

The story of this child’s abduction and rescue is a reminder of the power of community and media in locating missing children. However, the current misuse of her image underscores the importance of digital literacy. By staying informed and cautious, we can protect ourselves and others from falling prey to these deceitful schemes.