AI being used in love scams – report
Credit to Author: Janvic Mateo| Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — As Valentine’s Day approaches, scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to target more victims worldwide, a US-based cybersecurity firm warned.
Exposure management company Tenable reported that scammers are leveraging generative AI to make their deception “more convincing,” making it more difficult for people to detect scams, as AI helps create sophisticated and emotionally compelling messages.
A recent bust in Hong Kong revealed that fraudsters were using AI-generated deepfake videos and audio to target victims in other countries.
“Many of these scammers operate from overseas and don’t speak fluent English. AI helps them craft sophisticated, emotionally compelling messages that make their scams more believable and harder to detect,” said Satnam Narang, senior staff research engineer at Tenable.
According to the company, romance scams continue to be the biggest consumer threat, with scammers exploiting dating apps and messaging platforms to prey on individuals seeking companionship.
“Romance scams affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but elderly individuals, former military personnel and those seeking financial arrangements are among the most vulnerable,” Tenable said.
“Scammers deploy various tactics, from impersonating service members using stolen photos to orchestrating fake ‘sugar mommy and daddy’ schemes, luring victims into fraudulent financial transactions. Others entice victims into adult video chats that require paid registrations, generating illicit profits in the process,” it added.
The firm also reported that “romance baiting” remains the most dangerous form of romance scam, where scammers establish fake relationships to build trust before convincing their victims to invest in bogus cryptocurrency or stock platforms.
Tenable noted that this method has now overtaken other romance scams in both prevalence and financial impact.
“People have lost their life savings to romance scams, and it’s heartbreaking. Victims are often blamed for falling for these schemes, but these scams are highly manipulative and exploit vulnerabilities that anyone could have,” said Narang.
In some cases, scammers even pose as recovery agents, promising to retrieve lost funds for a fee.
The best defense, experts said, is skepticism.
“If someone you’ve never met in person asks for money, whether for a sudden emergency, a business opportunity or an investment, consider it a major red flag. If you believe you’ve been scammed, report the crime to your local law enforcement and cybercrime authorities immediately,” Tenable cautioned.