Who Is Alyssa Preston?
If you’ve recently come across emotional Facebook posts warning about a missing female officer named Alyssa Preston, you’re not alone. A seemingly urgent plea for help, a photo of a woman in uniform, and a disturbing message about a child left behind in a car — it’s the perfect storm designed to pull at your heartstrings. But the truth behind this viral content is far from what it appears.
The officer shown in these scam posts is not missing. In fact, she is alive and well. The woman in the image is Sgt. Katie Cunningham from the Great Falls Police Department in Montana. The name “Alyssa Preston” is a fabrication, and the posts spreading across Facebook and other platforms are part of an elaborate scam.
How the Scam Unfolded
On March 28, 2025, a post started circulating in various local Facebook buy-sell-trade groups, claiming a police officer named Katie Cunningham, age 28, went missing in Winnemucca, Nevada. It stated that her car had been found with her daughter inside, but she remained missing. It even included physical details like her height (5’9”) and weight (163 lbs) and warned the public that she might be in extreme danger.
The post urged users to share it quickly to help the investigation, adding: “IT ONLY TAKES 2 SECONDS TO SHARE.”
But the Winnemucca Police Department quickly responded, not to confirm the incident — but to debunk it. They flagged the post as part of an online scam and clarified that the person shown is not employed by any local law enforcement agency.
The same image and similar messages were also used in other locations like Kent County, New Jersey, and Milledgeville, Georgia, creating further confusion.
The Truth: Alive and Well
The woman in the viral photo is Sgt. Katie Cunningham, who has worked for the Great Falls Police Department for years. The department confirmed that:
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The photo used is over 10 years old.
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Sgt. Cunningham is not 28 years old.
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She is 5’3”, not 5’9”.
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Most importantly, she is alive and well.
In a lighthearted moment, Sgt. Cunningham’s husband joked about the viral nature of the post, asking if there was a reward when she showed him the screenshot.
Furthermore, there is no Kent County in Montana, which added to the list of inaccuracies being pushed by scammers.
How Scammers Use These Posts
According to the Better Business Bureau, this type of viral content is part of a growing trend called “bait-and-switch” scams.
Here’s how it works:
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An emotional post is created using stolen images and fake stories about missing persons, injured animals, or children.
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Users share these posts out of concern, thinking they’re helping.
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Scammers edit the original post after it has gained traction. It turns into a:
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Fake rental listing
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Deceptive product advertisement
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Survey scam promising fake prizes
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Users who clicked or interacted are either prompted to submit personal details or make payments, leading to identity theft or financial loss.
This tactic relies on people’s empathy and their habit of sharing sensitive content without verifying its authenticity.
Why Misinformation Matters
False posts like these don’t just mislead the public — they also:
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Damage reputations of real individuals.
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Waste resources of law enforcement agencies trying to clarify the truth.
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Erode public trust in authentic missing person alerts.
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Put innocent people at risk, especially those whose images are misused.
How to Protect Yourself from Such Scams
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Verify the Source: Check if the police department or a credible news source has shared the information.
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Reverse Image Search: Use Google Images to see if the photo has been used elsewhere.
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Report Suspicious Posts: Flag fake content on social platforms to help stop its spread.
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Don’t Share Without Checking: Always pause before hitting “Share” — especially for emotional or urgent posts.
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Educate Others: Let your friends and family know about these tactics so they can be cautious too.
FAQs
Q: Is Officer Alyssa Preston really missing?
A: No. The name “Alyssa Preston” is part of an online scam. The woman in the image is Sgt. Katie Cunningham, and she is safe.
Q: Where did this fake missing person post originate?
A: It began circulating in various Facebook groups, particularly in Winnemucca, Nevada, and was later debunked by local authorities.
Q: Why do scammers use fake missing person posts?
A: To gain attention and shares quickly, then later switch the content to promote scams, ads, or phishing links.
Q: What should I do if I see a suspicious post like this?
A: Don’t share it. Instead, report it to the platform and verify the facts with local police or trusted news outlets.
Q: Has the image in the scam been used before?
A: Yes. It’s been recycled in multiple fake posts across the U.S., falsely claiming the officer is missing from different states.
Conclusion
The viral story of Officer Alyssa Preston missing is a sobering reminder of how easily misinformation spreads online. While our instincts may urge us to help, it’s crucial to verify before sharing. The image in question belongs to Sgt. Katie Cunningham of the Great Falls Police Department — a dedicated officer who is very much alive and unharmed.
Let’s stay vigilant, informed, and responsible in our digital interactions.
