Bradenton Police Warn of Social Media Scam Exploiting Sympathy Posts

The Bradenton Police Department has issued a public warning about a deceptive social media scam exploiting public sympathy through fabricated missing person posts. The latest scam involves the image of a Texas police officer who went missing and died by suicide in 2018.

The fraudulent posts begin by sharing a photo of a supposed missing person, often using real images from past cases to appear authentic. Once the post has gained significant shares and public engagement, the scammers disable comments and alter the content, replacing it with links to fake donation pages or fraudulent rental listings aimed at financial exploitation.

Officials caution that this scam not only misleads the public but can also hinder genuine missing person cases by creating distrust. Social media users may become hesitant to share legitimate missing person posts, reducing the visibility of authentic cases and delaying crucial public assistance.

Key warning signs of these scams include vague or incomplete location details, such as hashtags instead of specific addresses, and urgent language prompting immediate sharing without verification. Scammers often reuse the same posts in multiple regions, further indicating their deceptive nature.

The Bradenton Police Department advises the public to verify the authenticity of any missing person post before sharing. If in doubt, community members should contact local law enforcement directly to confirm the validity of the information. By staying vigilant, the community can help prevent the spread of misinformation while ensuring real cases receive the attention they deserve.