#fake-kidnapping

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NYC parents
fromLos Angeles Times
1 hour ago

5-year-old was brutally and repeatedly beaten before he was left dead in a dumpster, autopsy shows

Elyjah Hearn suffered 90 injuries from repeated abuse before his death, ruled a homicide due to blunt force trauma.
SF parents
fromSFGATE
1 day ago

Arrest made in kidnapping, killing of Calif. mother Cindy Wanner

A suspect has been arrested after 34 years for the kidnapping and murder of Cindy Wanner in Northern California.
fromLos Angeles Times
15 hours ago

Mysteries surround Cole Tomas Allen and his final movements in D.C. attack

Federal authorities charged Allen with transporting firearms across state lines while traveling by train from California to Washington and with discharging a firearm during the incident at the Washington Hilton, where officials said a federal agent was shot in his ballistic vest.
Washington DC
fromABC7 San Francisco
1 day ago

Scott Peterson lawyers plan appeal after new evidence rejected by judge

The prosecution's case was based on circumstantial evidence and bluntly state, 'No direct, physical or forensic evidence was found supporting any part of the prosecution's theory or otherwise implicating (Peterson).'
California
OMG science
fromBoston.com
1 day ago

FBI is investigating cases of 10 scientists 'who have died or mysteriously vanished,' including two in Mass.

A federal investigation is underway into the deaths and disappearances of scientists linked to sensitive information, raising national security concerns.
#kidnapping
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 week ago

Kidnapping and assault case plays out across Orange County. Suspect arrested, victim found safe

A man was arrested for kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Orange County after a violent confrontation in a parked car.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
1 week ago

Kidnapping and assault case plays out across Orange County. Suspect arrested, victim found safe

A man was arrested for kidnapping and assaulting a woman in Orange County after a violent confrontation in a parked car.
#cybersecurity
fromTheregister
1 month ago
Information security

Voice phishing skyrockets as smooth crims talk their way in

Voice phishing became the second most common method for cybercriminals to gain access to IT systems in 2025.
#murder
NYC LGBT
fromIntelligencer
5 days ago

From the Archives: The Macabre Case of the Man in the Mask

Five youths discovered a human corpse in a smokehouse, leading to the arrest of Bernard LeGeros for the murder of Eigil Vesti.
SOMA, SF
fromBay Shore, NY Patch
1 month ago

LI Woman Directed Kidnapping, Execution Of Man Who Parked Outside Her Home: DA

A Bay Shore woman was convicted of orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of a man over a parking dispute.
US politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
5 days ago

Police across the US worry officers are being misidentified as ICE, records show

Immigration operations are causing confusion and fear among law enforcement, impacting their ability to perform regular duties effectively.
fromMilitary.com
5 days ago

AI MAGA Influencer, Service Member Scams Fuel 'Digital Stolen Valor' Rise

The administrators behind Military Phony described 'digital stolen valor' as the online equivalent of wearing medals you didn't earn, using exaggerated or fabricated credentials to gain respect, sympathy or opportunity that would otherwise belong to someone else.
Social media marketing
Artificial intelligence
fromInfoQ
6 days ago

Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI Content Are Taking Over the Internet

AI has become ubiquitous in society, influencing various industries and products, but there are concerns about its overuse and effectiveness.
Law
fromwww.housingwire.com
5 days ago

States' deed theft protection measures tracked by new tool

EquityProtect launched a Scorecard to track deed theft and property title fraud legislation across all states, revealing significant vulnerabilities in property protection.
#sextortion
fromwww.independent.co.uk
6 days ago
Media industry

Boy, 13, among rising number of males blackmailed in sextortion scam

Sextortion scams predominantly target young men, with nearly half of victims in their twenties, highlighting a significant vulnerability across various age groups.
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago
Mental health

I felt ashamed and scared': how an online friendship became a sextortion nightmare

Online friendships can lead to severe risks, including sextortion, which can have devastating emotional consequences.
Media industry
fromwww.independent.co.uk
6 days ago

Boy, 13, among rising number of males blackmailed in sextortion scam

Sextortion scams predominantly target young men, with nearly half of victims in their twenties, highlighting a significant vulnerability across various age groups.
Mental health
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 weeks ago

I felt ashamed and scared': how an online friendship became a sextortion nightmare

Online friendships can lead to severe risks, including sextortion, which can have devastating emotional consequences.
Privacy professionals
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 days ago

Criminal gangs profiting as child sexual abuse websites double, experts say

The number of commercial child sexual abuse websites has doubled in a year, highlighting a significant increase in online exploitation by criminal gangs.
Miami food
fromBoston.com
6 days ago

Man involved in Florida fender-bender turns out to be fugitive from Mass. on the run since 2004

A minor car accident in Florida led to the arrest of fugitive Carl Rivera, wanted for over 20 years on felony charges.
fromPadailypost
5 days ago

Man arrested on charges he tried to meet up with youth for sex

"In these encounters, suspects used sexually explicit language and/or sent graphic photos to undercover personnel. Once the suspects arrived at the agreed location, they were taken into custody."
SF parents
California
fromABC7 San Francisco
5 days ago

Bodycam video shows Antioch officer stuck inside robbery suspect's getaway car

A police chase in Antioch escalated from an armed robbery, resulting in an officer firing at a suspect while trapped in the getaway car.
fromTheregister
6 days ago

Dev targeted by sophisticated job scam

Vujičić noted that he receives daily messages about job offers, with a personal record of eight in one day, indicating the prevalence of recruitment scams targeting crypto professionals.
Information security
NYC LGBT
fromwww.theguardian.com
6 days ago

I went to a gory serial killer exhibit has America's true crime obsession gone too far?

Mind of a Serial Killer: the Experience examines the motives of infamous murderers through recreations and psychological profiles, provoking both horror and fascination.
fromCointelegraph
1 week ago

Fake Police Raid Scam Forces Victim to Send $1M in Bitcoin

The French case illustrates how attackers used a fake police raid and violence to force a Bitcoin transfer worth $1 million, bypassing encryption entirely by compelling the victim to authorize the transaction.
Cryptocurrency
Law
fromPsychology Today
1 week ago

Why False Confessions Are Surprisingly Common

False confessions are more prevalent than believed, leading to severe consequences and misconceptions among legal professionals and the public.
Boston
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

Police identify woman who claimed she had been kidnapped, say she is not in danger

A woman claimed she was kidnapped but has been identified and is not in danger.
#missing-person
SF parents
fromLos Angeles Times
5 days ago

FBI joins the probe into the disappearance of a SoCal grandpa linked to a crypto fortune

Naiping Hou, 74, went missing under suspicious circumstances, prompting an FBI investigation into his disappearance and the condition of his home.
SF parents
fromLos Angeles Times
5 days ago

FBI joins the probe into the disappearance of a SoCal grandpa linked to a crypto fortune

Naiping Hou, 74, went missing under suspicious circumstances, prompting an FBI investigation into his disappearance and the condition of his home.
California
fromLos Angeles Times
6 days ago

SoCal man rented cars to thieves for a share of their stolen goods, federal prosecutors say

A Canyon Country man led a theft ring causing $23.9 million in losses, involving organized crime and fraudulent activities across multiple states.
US news
fromwww.npr.org
2 weeks ago

Law enforcement is trying to combat abusive AI. Experts say easier said than done

An Ohio man was convicted under the 2025 Take It Down Act for creating and distributing AI-generated abusive sexual images.
Law
fromSFGATE
1 week ago

Bear costume used in 'unbelievable' SoCal insurance fraud scam

Multiple individuals in Glendale were sentenced for a bizarre insurance fraud case involving a bear costume and luxury cars.
fromBoston.com
1 week ago

New records show how police tracked down the alleged Beverly mansion robber

Brown was charged with home invasion, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over age 60, kidnapping, witness intimidation, armed assault in a dwelling, armed burglary, breaking and entering in a building at night, larceny of a motor vehicle, and larceny over $1,200.
Boston
Parenting
fromSlate Magazine
3 weeks ago

My Mom Got a Call That I Was in a Horrific Accident. What She Did Next Can't Be Undone.

Scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities, making it crucial to educate and protect against future scams.
#fbi
fromTechCrunch
2 weeks ago
Information security

FBI announces takedown of phishing operation that targeted thousands of victims | TechCrunch

fromTechCrunch
2 weeks ago
Information security

FBI announces takedown of phishing operation that targeted thousands of victims | TechCrunch

fromLos Angeles Times
3 weeks ago

California parents didn't like the texts their teen daughter sent to boys; they tortured her to death

"This sentence reflects an unthinkable betrayal by parents who are meant to protect their children from harm. Pearlene was denied the chance to grow up and become who she was meant to be. There is no punishment that can restore the loss of life."
SF parents
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

L.A. model lured victims through dating apps then stole from them, prosecutors say. Now she's headed to trial.

At her trial, we will prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this defendant exploited trust built through online relationships to gain access to victims' homes and steal from them. Her ability to deceptively influence others, whether in person or online, has now come to an end.
LA real estate
California
fromLos Angeles Times
3 weeks ago

Santa Monica man charged with kidnapping of UCLA student, rape of a separate woman

A Santa Monica man has been charged with rape and kidnapping related to two separate incidents involving female victims.
US news
fromsfist.com
1 month ago

Napa Authorities Arrest Man Accused of Making AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials

A man was arrested for possessing and manufacturing AI-generated child pornography, highlighting new legal implications for computer-generated imagery.
fromABC7 Chicago
1 month ago

Teen girl jumps from moving car to escape attempted kidnapping in LA, police say

However, instead of going to the location where the girls instructed him to, the suspect drove to the area of Sunburst and Lemona Avenue ... it's a residential neighborhood, but it's secluded enough ... not enough people or vehicle traffic around.
Los Angeles
Psychology
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Why False Accusations Are So Disturbing

False accusations are uniquely disturbing because they violate the just-world hypothesis, undermining our belief that fairness exists and people deserve their outcomes.
#sexual-assault
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

Santa Monica man arrested on suspicion of kidnapping 2 UCLA students, raping another woman

Officers arrested Alexander Schecter, 24, at his Santa Monica residence on Friday and booked him on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of robbery, one count of extortion and one count of battery.
California
Social media marketing
fromFuturism
1 month ago

Trump Supporters Getting Scammed by AI-Generated Foot Fetish Model

An AI-generated persona named Jessica Foster accumulated over one million Instagram followers and 13,000 OnlyFans likes by impersonating a military service member and appearing in fabricated images with celebrities and political figures.
France news
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

Passing neighbor rescues women imprisoned in crypto kidnapping

A 35-year-old woman and her 67-year-old mother escaped a cryptocurrency-linked kidnapping after 30 hours when a neighbor freed them; six suspects were later arrested.
Relationships
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Romance fraud: warning over scam that turns victims into insurance cheats

Scammers recruit romantic partners into staged accidents or fake insurance claims to exploit victims' identities and trigger fraudulent payouts, harming victims' insurance and credit records.
fromThe Bold Italic
2 months ago

Missing story or content

If you were looking for a specific story and landed here, we're sorry - that content has been misplaced. The Bold Italic has recently undergone a massive transition. After moving across several platforms over the last decade, some legacy content didn't make the final trip. We've already logged your broken link. This helps us see which stories are most missed so we can try to recover them.
San Francisco
#ransom-scam
East Bay (California)
fromThe Oaklandside
2 months ago

Deadly lookalikes

An unusually wet winter in the Bay Area caused a surge in deadly death cap mushrooms, leading to unprecedented poisonings disproportionately affecting immigrant communities who forage based on traditional knowledge.
#child-exploitation
SF parents
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

SoCal school psychologist thought he was meeting a 13-year-old, authorities say. It was a sting

A licensed school psychologist was arrested after exchanging sexually explicit messages with an undercover investigator posing as a 13-year-old and attempting to meet the minor for sex.
fromBoston.com
1 month ago

11 charged after allegedly staging robberies to claim victim status on immigration applications

The scheme began in March 2023, when Rambhai Patel, then 36, carried out staged armed robberies with co-conspirators at at least six convenience stores, liquor stores, and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and other states. Prosecutors said the robberies were designed to help store clerks falsely claim they were victims of violent crimes in applications for U nonimmigrant status, commonly known as a U visa.
Boston
Psychology
fromBusiness Insider
1 month ago

The 10-second trick to spot a liar, according to a psychopathy researcher

Open-ended and unexpected questions make it harder for people with dark personality traits to lie convincingly.
Relationships
fromFuturism
2 months ago

AI Delusions Are Leading to Domestic Abuse, Harassment, and Stalking

A partner's obsessive use of ChatGPT for pseudo-therapy fueled fixation, paranoia, and escalating physical abuse over nearly a year.
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

New Information Is Feeding Epstein Conspiracy Theories

He and Ghislaine Maxwell did traffic children. And plenty of well-connected people were aware of multiple aspects of Epstein's behavior and crimes. While a lot of additional information about Epstein has been released in the last few months, the new information isn't decreasing the level of conspiracy theorizing. Instead, Epstein conspiracy theories are growing and multiplying. The new information isn't water putting out the conspiracy fires. Instead it is more like adding gasoline to the conspiracy theory fire.
World news
Privacy professionals
fromSlate Magazine
2 months ago

Help! We Just Dodged an Obvious Scam Call. But One Thing the Scammer Said Has Us Extremely Worried.

A man is falsely credited as the named creator of an Islamophobic book under his name, risking career and reputation; he seeks removal.
Privacy professionals
fromTheregister
1 month ago

Turns out most cybercriminals are old enough to know better

Middle-aged adults aged 35-44 comprise 37% of cybercrime arrests, with 25-44 year-olds accounting for nearly 60% of cases, contradicting the teenage hacker stereotype.
fromBoston.com
2 months ago

Mass. State Police report fake account impersonating trooper

"Sarita" on Instagram appears to be the account the agency reported, showing a blonde woman wearing a Massachusetts State Police uniform, complete with a badge and a gun. In the pictures posted since Dec. 29, her name tags reads "Sara," "St. Pay," and "St. May." In one, the letters are unintelligible. The account has more than 100,000 followers as of Sunday evening. MSP declined to confirm the account.
Law
fromABC7 San Francisco
1 month ago

Southern California girl kidnapped in 2020 found safe in North Carolina

These are very rare occurrences to have such a positive outcome on such an old case as this, but it reminds us that through hard work, and dedication, and cooperation, stories with positive outcomes like these can happen.
SF parents
#nancy-guthrie-disappearance
#online-scams
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago
Privacy professionals

Larry Magid: Beware of online scams

Americans lost at least $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults over 60 losing more than $4.8 billion, primarily through phishing and romance scams that exploit trust and technology unfamiliarity.
fromFingerlakes1.com
1 month ago
US news

Report: NYS among worst states for online, social media scams | Fingerlakes1.com

New York proposes legislation requiring social media platforms to verify advertiser identities and physical details to combat online scams costing state consumers $6.5 billion annually.
Privacy professionals
fromThe Mercury News
1 month ago

Larry Magid: Beware of online scams

Americans lost at least $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults over 60 losing more than $4.8 billion, primarily through phishing and romance scams that exploit trust and technology unfamiliarity.
#nancy-guthrie
SF parents
fromCalifornia Post
1 month ago

California girl, 11, who vanished in 2020 is found living in North Carolina under a different name

An 11-year-old girl kidnapped from California in 2020 was found in North Carolina enrolled in school under a false name and placed into protective custody.
California
fromCalifornia Post
1 month ago

Cops storm SoCal mall after hoax call targets streamers filming with child

A false 911 call claiming armed individuals with bombs at a Southern California mall triggered a massive police response, detaining livestreamers and a child during a shopping outing.
California
fromwww.mercurynews.com
1 month ago

You are going to kill us': Hayward man charged with kidnapping an on-duty cop

A California Highway Patrol officer was trapped in a vehicle during a high-speed chase on Interstate 880 after a routine traffic stop escalated into a struggle for control, resulting in kidnapping charges against the driver.
US news
fromwww.npr.org
2 months ago

What the data tells us about kidnapped people and how Nancy Guthrie is an outlier

Nancy Guthrie's abduction underscores the rarity and public impact of high-profile kidnappings, especially involving elderly victims and national media attention.
fromLos Angeles Times
1 month ago

Nancy Guthrie kidnap probe hits another dead end with DNA results on found gloves

There's so much that everybody wants to know, but I would be very neglectful, irresponsible as a police, law enforcement leader, to share that with everybody.
US news
US news
fromThe New Yorker
2 months ago

The Betrayal of a Friend's False Testimony

A teenager's coerced confession during police interrogation led to three friends being imprisoned for murder, creating lifelong guilt he attempts to address through legal proceedings decades later.
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