Calgary police are offering renewed warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence after the family of a missing woman was targeted with a fabricated hostage photo designed to extort money.
According to multiple reports, the family of Deeanna Erickson, who vanished in June 2025, says they received an AI‑generated image in December that appeared to show the missing woman bound inside a van. The scammer demanded payment in Bitcoin and threatened to kill her if the family did not comply.
Experts say the case highlights a growing trend where criminals are using increasingly accessible AI tools to exploit families already in crisis.
Dr. Tom Keenan, a professor at the University of Calgary, says AI is becoming increasingly easy to use, but there can still be telltale signs. He noted that one of the first steps in assessing suspicious images is to question whether what you’re seeing is reasonable.
“If you see an image of someone, does it actually coincide with what you know about them?” Keenan asks.
Keenan examined the doctored photo and found it contained no EXIF data—the digital information normally embedded in a genuine photograph. He also pointed out that the scammer appeared to have studied missing‑person posters to replicate details such as the colour of Erickson’s clothing.
Police say they are investigating the incident and warn that AI‑generated fraud is becoming more common, particularly in emotionally charged cases. They urge Calgarians to treat any online communication involving money or threats with extreme caution.
The scammer in this case demanded Bitcoin, assuming the cryptocurrency would be untraceable. But Keenan says that belief is outdated.
“Police are able to find ways to catch it when you cash it in,” he explained. “It’s really no good to have it as Bitcoin—you have to convert it, and when you do, you have to identify yourself at the bank.”
He added that new regulations now require many exchanges to report transactions, making it harder for criminals to hide.
Erickson’s family continues to search for answers and believes someone in the community may have information about her disappearance. She was last seen on June 6, 2025, in the Shawnessy area after visiting the Shawnessy Town Centre shopping plaza.
Investigators are asking to speak with anyone who may have seen or interacted with Erickson between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. that evening, as well as anyone who rode Calgary Transit buses departing from stops on Shawville Way SW between 10:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
Anyone with information about Erickson’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403‑266‑1234. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers.