ECORSE, MICHIGAN — An Ecorse woman lost nearly $200 in a cruel scam targeting desperate pet owners after a man used an AI-generated fake dog photo to convince her he had found her missing dog — only for her to later discover the image was entirely fabricated and her money was gone.

Coco Slips Through Fence — Owner Posts Online Appeal

Elise Amidon’s dog Coco escaped after slipping through a fence at her home. Hoping the community could help locate her pet, Amidon posted photos of Coco online — a common and usually effective approach for recovering lost animals in local neighborhood groups.

What followed instead was a calculated scam that exploited her desperation and love for her dog.

Scammer Contacts Amidon With Fake AI Photo

Shortly after posting, a man reached out to Amidon claiming he had found Coco and sent along a photo of a similar-looking dog as supposed proof. The image was convincing enough in the moment — the dog bore a resemblance to Coco — and Amidon, focused entirely on getting her pet back, did not immediately question its authenticity.

When she moved to arrange a pickup, the man shifted tactics — demanding money upfront, claiming it was needed to cover veterinary care and gas expenses before he would return the dog.

Nearly $200 Sent Through Cash App Before Truth Emerged

Trusting the man’s claim and desperate to recover Coco, Amidon sent the money through Cash App. The two then planned several meetups in Ecorse for the handover — but the man never showed up to a single one.

After repeated failed meetups, Amidon took a much closer look at the photo the man had sent. On closer inspection, details in the image did not add up — and she realized the photo was entirely fake, generated using artificial intelligence.

Coco Found Safe at Lincoln Park Animal Shelter

Despite the scam, the story has a relief-filled ending — Coco was eventually found safe and recovered through a Lincoln Park animal shelter, completely unconnected to the man who had contacted Amidon.

The real finder had done the right thing. The scammer had simply seized an opportunity to exploit a grieving pet owner at her most vulnerable moment.

Amidon Now Warning Other Pet Owners

Amidon is now speaking out publicly to warn other pet owners across the Downriver area and beyond about this growing scam tactic. Her message is clear — always double-check any photo sent by someone claiming to have your pet, look carefully for AI artifacts and inconsistencies in images, and never send money through Cash App or any irreversible payment platform before physically confirming your animal is in the person’s possession.

Lost pet scams using AI-generated images are an emerging and particularly cruel form of fraud that preys on emotionally distressed owners at their most vulnerable. Stay with GordonRamsayClub.com for the latest updates.