A man in Shanghai, China, has become a victim of an elaborate AI romance scam, losing nearly $28,000, according to reports from local media. The scammers utilized generative AI technology to fabricate realistic visuals and videos of a fictitious young woman, referred to as 'Ms. Jiao.'
As the victim developed feelings for this imaginary character, he was manipulated into transferring close to 200,000 yuan (approximately $28,000) to her supposed bank account. The scam was further supported by the creation of a convincing fake identity, complete with fabricated medical records and related bills meant to convince the man that 'Ms. Jiao' required urgent financial help.
Romance scams have been prevalent for several years; however, the advent and rapid advancements of artificial intelligence have made these scams increasingly intricate and challenging to detect. The evolving capabilities of AI technology have allowed scammers to create more authentic-seeming personas that can easily deceive unsuspecting individuals.
AI Technology Enhances Scamming Techniques
On February 11, 2025, computer security firm McAfee published a report revealing that over half (52%) of individuals have either been scammed or pressured to send money or gifts to someone they met online. The report noted a significant rise in online romance fraud, especially through social media platforms, messaging apps, and AI chatbots.
According to the study, 26% of respondents reported being approached by an AI chatbot impersonating a real person on dating applications or social media platforms. Additionally, 21% of participants indicated that they had been contacted by someone pretending to be a well-known public figure. Among those who were deceived, 33% reported financial losses, with the average loss being around $1,985.
In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, McAfee blocked a staggering 321,509 fraudulent URLs designed to trap victims in romance scams. This massive effort underscores the growing threat posed by such scams, particularly during times when people are more likely to seek companionship.
Earlier this year, a separate incident highlighted the dangers of AI-powered scams when a woman in France was swindled out of €830,000 (approximately $850,000) after being led to believe she was in a relationship with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
Experts emphasize that the sophistication of these scams is rapidly increasing, making it crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of online interactions, especially those that involve financial requests. The combination of advanced technology and psychological manipulation makes AI romance scams particularly dangerous.
What Can Be Done?
To combat the rise of AI-driven scams, experts recommend that potential victims educate themselves about the signs of online fraud. This includes being cautious of individuals who request money early in a relationship, conducting thorough online research on the person’s identity, and being aware of the emotional manipulation tactics commonly employed by scammers.
As technology continues to evolve, so too will the methods used by scammers. Awareness and education are key in preventing individuals from becoming victims of these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram
Source: ReadWrite News