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Publicly-available social media pictures provide enough source material for criminals to create “fake proof of life photos in virtual kidnapping for ransom scams”, the law enforcement agency said.

The FBI has urged Americans to be sceptical towards “seemingly real photos or videos of victims along with demands for ransom payments”.

Some particularly pernicious scammers are deliberately targeting internet users who post missing person appeals on social media, it added.

“Always attempt to contact your loved one before considering paying any ransom demand” is among a series of tips set out by the FBI to avoid being scammed.

The public service announcement comes as police forces around the world grapple with AI hoaxes and pranks.

In October, An Garda Síochána warned people in Ireland against taking part in a social media trend involving AI-generated pictures of home intruders.

Over the weekend, an AI hoax led to cancelled trains in England after fake images of a damaged bridge were circulated on social media.

British Transport Police told the BBC that it was aware of the incident but was not actively investigating it.