Love or Lies, AI-Powered Scammers Are Targeting Romance Seekers Online
Valentine’s Day is a time for love, but it has also become a prime opportunity for cybercriminals. According to McAfee India’s latest research, online romance scams are increasing, driven by AI-powered chatbots, fake dating apps, and deepfake technology. These scams blur the lines between real relationships and digital deception.
The study found that 61% of people believe they could be tricked by an AI chatbot, while 51% admit they or someone they know has encountered an AI-powered scammer on dating apps or social media. Additionally, 38% of people think emotional attachment to AI chatbots makes them vulnerable to fraud.
A report from Firstpost highlights that many Indians turn to social media for romance, not just dating apps. Instagram is the most popular platform (85%), followed by WhatsApp (55%), Telegram (50%), and Snapchat (46%). Among dating apps, Tinder leads with 61% of users, followed by Facebook Dating, Bumble, and Match.
For Maggie K, a 25-year-old programmer, online love turned into a nightmare. She believed she had found someone special, exchanging messages daily with a person she trusted. But when it came time to meet, he claimed to have missed his flight and asked her for money to rebook. Wanting to see him, she sent the money—only for him to disappear without a trace. His online presence vanished, leaving her devastated.
“I ignored my gut feeling, I sent him $1200. Then he disappeared. When I reported the scam, the police told me his images were AI-generated. He wasn’t even a real person. That was the scariest part, I had trusted someone who never even existed,” Maggie shared with McAfee.
Addressing this growing issue, Steve Grobman, McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer, warned: “Unfortunately, we know cybercriminals also use AI to scale malicious activity. With love-seekers spending more time online leading up to Valentine’s Day, scammers are using AI to pose as love interests to steal your money or personal information. We encourage people to balance romantic hope with healthy skepticism, to pause before sharing sensitive information online, and to ensure they use the right tools to protect their privacy, identity, and personal information.”
The statistics are alarming. 70% of people feel pressured to send money or gifts to online partners. Scammers have also started impersonating celebrities, with 42% of people falling for this deception. Nearly half of the victims reported financial loss, while 48% had their personal data stolen.
As digital romance grows, so does the risk of deception. Experts urge users to stay vigilant, verify online connections, and protect themselves from AI-driven frauds.
The study found that 61% of people believe they could be tricked by an AI chatbot, while 51% admit they or someone they know has encountered an AI-powered scammer on dating apps or social media. Additionally, 38% of people think emotional attachment to AI chatbots makes them vulnerable to fraud.
A report from Firstpost highlights that many Indians turn to social media for romance, not just dating apps. Instagram is the most popular platform (85%), followed by WhatsApp (55%), Telegram (50%), and Snapchat (46%). Among dating apps, Tinder leads with 61% of users, followed by Facebook Dating, Bumble, and Match.
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For Maggie K, a 25-year-old programmer, online love turned into a nightmare. She believed she had found someone special, exchanging messages daily with a person she trusted. But when it came time to meet, he claimed to have missed his flight and asked her for money to rebook. Wanting to see him, she sent the money—only for him to disappear without a trace. His online presence vanished, leaving her devastated.
“I ignored my gut feeling, I sent him $1200. Then he disappeared. When I reported the scam, the police told me his images were AI-generated. He wasn’t even a real person. That was the scariest part, I had trusted someone who never even existed,” Maggie shared with McAfee.
Addressing this growing issue, Steve Grobman, McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer, warned: “Unfortunately, we know cybercriminals also use AI to scale malicious activity. With love-seekers spending more time online leading up to Valentine’s Day, scammers are using AI to pose as love interests to steal your money or personal information. We encourage people to balance romantic hope with healthy skepticism, to pause before sharing sensitive information online, and to ensure they use the right tools to protect their privacy, identity, and personal information.”
The statistics are alarming. 70% of people feel pressured to send money or gifts to online partners. Scammers have also started impersonating celebrities, with 42% of people falling for this deception. Nearly half of the victims reported financial loss, while 48% had their personal data stolen.
As digital romance grows, so does the risk of deception. Experts urge users to stay vigilant, verify online connections, and protect themselves from AI-driven frauds.
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