Latin America

An Ecuadorian family was scammed by traffickers who assured them that a woman was alive. The coyotes used artificial intelligence to send false proof of life that allowed the deceased's relatives to send them USD 12,000 in the hope of recovering her.

A week ago, the organization asked for help to locate an Ecuadorian migrant who disappeared when crossing the border from Ciudad Juárez to El Paso in Texas. Then the photograph of the woman and her data and those of her relatives were published to receive information about her whereabouts. The organization mentioned in its publication that there was a video where the dying woman was observed. When this information was spread, a coyote indicated by text message: "She is no longer with us, she is now in heaven."

Despite that confirmation and the absence of the body, the woman's family began to search for information on their own, publishing photographs of their relative. It was then that they received messages from other migrant smugglers who assured them that the woman was still alive, that she had been rescued and treated and that they now needed someone to pay for the trip to take her to her relatives in the United States.

The family, hoping to see the woman again, asked the smugglers to send them video proof of life. The coyotes sent a video showing the woman speaking. The relatives believed she was alive and deposited more than USD 12,000. When the day came when they were supposed to meet the woman, the coyotes disappeared. The transfers were made to the smugglers in Mexico.

The family ended up paying USD 20,000: USD 18,000 for the initial trip to get the woman to the United States, plus the USD 12,000 that the scammers additionally asked for.

William Murillo, spokesman and co-founder of 1800Migrante.com, has indicated that: “The images can be deceptive to an untrained eye.” Murillo said that the family at least took the precaution of recording the videos using another cell phone: “At least they kept the images, they are the only thing they have because the coyotes used encrypted messaging. The videos sent could not be saved because it was not allowed and once seen, they disappeared. There is a copy of the videos because the relatives were able to record them with another cell phone from their screens,” explained the spokesman.

The organization has indicated that organized crime “has begun to use cutting-edge technology to deceive, steal and extort huge sums of money from relatives of migrants who are on their way to the United States and have been kidnapped or are missing.”

In this scenario, the organization asks that irregular trips not be made “because it is dangerous and they can be victims of all kinds of crimes and violations of their rights.” In addition, they indicate that if a family member is kidnapped or missing, contact the corresponding local authorities “as soon as possible.” Likewise, the organization emphasizes that coyotes should not be trusted: “Remember that you are dealing with professional criminals who are only looking for your money, never the well-being of your family member... Remember that coyotes see migrants as merchandise and will try to steal as much money as possible from your family members.”

In the case of proof of life, the organization recommends that video calls be made: “During the conversation, ask something that only your family member knows and is very difficult for other people to guess.”