A.I. Takes Romance Scams to the Next Level

Millions of people use social networking sites and apps to find that special someone. But instead of finding romance, many are finding scammers who trick them into sending money and private information. Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating websites and apps, as well as social media platforms. They use fake photos and personal details to appear as real people. They then develop a relationship with victims in an effort to obtain their money and personal information.

As artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology has rapidly evolved, it has become easier to use and is more widespread than ever. The romance scam landscape has changed, and many of the red flags and scam avoidance strategies that were once effective are no longer reliable.

Reverse image searching used to expose copies of a fake profile picture being used all over the internet – but A.I. produced images can look just as convincing and won’t be found anywhere else online. To complicate things further, advanced video and audio editing programs can create “deepfakes” – which change a person’s voice or physical appearance over a phone or video call in real time. A.I. is also being used to optimize fake profiles to target real users who are most likely to fall victim to romance scams. And A.I. chatbots have become very convincing and cost effective, making it easier for scammers to engage with multiple victims at once. In many cases, the victim isn’t even talking to a human at all.

Online dating requires more caution than ever to avoid scammers who want their victim’s money or personal information. Here is what consumers can do to stay safe and protect their money and data:

· Check their romantic interest’s internet history. Most real people, especially those using a dating app, will have used social media for many years by the time you meet. If their profile is new, sparse, vague, or otherwise suspicious, that may indicate a fake profile.

· Avoid providing money or personal information. Until it can be established with absolute certainty that someone is a real person, avoid sending any money or private information that could increase the risk of identity theft. Be aware that scamming is a full-time job, and scammers have tried-and-true methods for convincing people to comply with their requests.

· Be suspicious of ‘love bombing’… over attention and commitment too quickly. If someone on a dating app or social media professes their love almost immediately, wants to invest in cryptocurrency together, or asks for money for airline tickets, medical expenses, or another excuse: pause. Would a well-meaning stranger really ask that?