How to not fall in love with AI-powered romance scammers

When so-called artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a tool to exploit our deepest human emotions, “love is blind.”

Persuasive AI technology is increasingly targeting mature online dating, turning fantasies into advantageous and dangerous criminal enterprises.

AI helps criminals create persuasive personas

Romance scam It has become the most common type of scam in 2025, scamming enthusiasts over $1.3 billion in the US alone. Just last year, the world heard the warning story of a 53-year-old French woman who lost $850,000 to Brad Pitt's persuasive AI Deepfark.

Get security alerts + expert tech tips – Sign up for cart newsletter – Cyber ​​Guy Reports here

The con man had been pleading with her for over eight months on realistic (still fake) images, voice calls, videos and even multiple social media accounts. Similarly, the 67-year-old from San Diego has also raised awareness of the romance scams that affect older adults when a gang of AI con artists pretended to be Keanu Reeves. The worst aspect of both stories is that the scammers have not been caught and the victim's financial institutions have done little to help them recover their funds.

Romance fraud illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)

Best antivirus for Mac, PC, iPhone and Androids – CyberGaipic

Can I blame the victim on “For For for it”?

AI-driven romance scams are far more refined than “traditional” scams. Criminals use a variety of AI tools and advanced tactics to create deeply personalized, highly realistic digital identities. Unlike traditional scams that rely on common scripts, these AI-powered approaches are nuanced, contextually appropriate conversations that adapt in real time to the victim's emotional state and personal background. can be generated. In short, romance scams have become extremely dangerous as they use multiple advanced methods.

• They use your personal data Identify psychological vulnerabilities through conversation analysis. They may know your friend's name, your work, interests, or personal details.
• They develop targeted emotional manipulation techniques It is unique to each person they target.
• They create dynamic and seemingly personal storylines It gradually builds trust and “remember” the details of the conversation.

AI-driven romance conversations are becoming increasingly difficult for both victims and traditional anti-disability mechanisms. While these scams can be difficult to spot and prevent them, privacy experts recommend some proven methods.

Romance fraud illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)

Best Valentine's Day Gift 2025

Here's how to find the red flag of romance scam

While it can be difficult to spot and prevent these sophisticated, AI-driven scams, providing information can help you avoid becoming a victim. Being vigilant, verify your identity and being aware of the red flag will help you safely navigate online dating while protecting your finances and personal information. Here are some things to note:

• Too much love. They “love” the “bomb” too early in conversation
• They're either too perfect or too suited to you Their background, work history, or personal details. Scammers often present the perfect photo of what you want and avoid opposing you
• They avoid face-to-face meetings and/or making convincing excuses as to why they can't meet or make video calls
• They lack a real response. AI-driven deepfakes are persuasive, but they struggle to naturally respond to more human interactions, including jokes, surprises, exclamation points, clearing throats, and coughing.
• I'll ask for money soonespecially about family emergency, medical events, or business ideas. Do not send money, gift cards, or financial information to people you haven't met in person

Romance fraud illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)

Stop these V-Day scams before they break your mind and your bank account

What should I do if I think it's a scam?

• Ask your friends and family: Getting an external perspective will help you see warning signs you may be overlooking
• Report a profile or fraudster: Online dating apps and social media have built-in reporting features that alert you against fraud. If your account disappeared immediately after the report, it may have been fake. If you think you're a victim of fraud, please visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website here Report a scammer. The procedure for reporting fraud is very simple, and the FTC will send an alert immediately to law enforcement to help investigate fraudsters. You can also contact us Better Business Bureau Reports will be submitted 24/7
• Please contact the bank: If you send money to a scammer and want to get it back, you should immediately contact your bank or credit/debit card company and report it as a scam. After that, the representative will take steps to you to refund your money

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

• Please contact your gift card company: If you send a gift card to a scammer, keep your receipt and report the fraud to your gift card company. Representatives there may be able to help you, and it will help them recognize scammers using their gift cards for fraud
• Visit IDTHEFT.GOV: If you have provided personal information such as a social security number, please follow the steps in Identitytheft.gov. You can create a report there and the website will help you to create a recovery plan and explain each step to regaining your identity
• Use identity theft protection: If you need a service that takes every step of the reporting and recovery process, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from this type of fraud is to subscribe to our identity theft service. Personal information theft companies can monitor personal information such as social security numbers, phone numbers, and email addresses and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further fraudulent use by criminals. One of the best parts of identity theft protection services is that they have identity theft insurance Up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costs And a A US-based case manager can help you recover your losses. See my tips and best choices on how to protect yourself from identity theft
• All devices have powerful antivirus software: This story also recommends that you run good antivirus software on your device at all times, as romance scams require email and text communications to ask the victim to click on the link. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links to install malware is to install antivirus software on all devices, as it may access your personal information. This protection can also warn you that it will phish email and ransomware scams and keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get the best 2025 Antivirus Protection Winners picks for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices

Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson offers advice on how to avoid romance scams. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)

Make it difficult for romance con artists to target you

Your personal information is the best tool for scammers. This includes phone numbers, emails and other contact details. This will allow you to contact us. It also coordinates the perfect attacks, including the celebrities you follow, your family, and even the type of content you engage online. As fraud becomes more refined and rely on data loads, it is more important than ever to take proactive steps to protect your personal information.

1. Warnings on Online Dating: In the digital world, not everyone claims who they are. Be vigilant for potential romantic benefits seeking money or gifts, or anyone who wants to move the relationship too quickly. Please keep your personal and financial information private.

Click here to get your Fox business on the go

2. Check your identity. If possible, ask for additional information or proof, such as video chat or in-person meetings, to verify their identity. Be careful before investing emotionally in someone you've never met in real life.

3. Research and verification: Perform an online search using a person's name, email address, or phone number to see if suspicious or fraudulent activity is associated. Reverse image search Check if their profile photos have been stolen from other locations on the internet. You can also reverse the phone numbers for free by following the instructions found here.

4. Privacy Settings: Keep your social media profile private. That way, only people you can trust will be able to see what's going on in your life.

5. Limited Share: Adjust the privacy settings for all online accounts and apps to limit data collection and sharing.

6. Use a reputable dating platform: Stick to a well-known and reputable dating website or app with security measures to protect users from fraud. These platforms often have guidelines for safe online dating, reporting suspicious users.

7. Invest in personal information removal services. We strongly recommend that you delete any personal information that you can find on various people's search sites on the web. Provide someone with an email address or phone number and potentially reverse your information and get your home address. Check out our top picks for data deletion services.

Important takeouts for your cart

AI-driven romance scams are a serious threat and are leveraging our deepest emotions for economic benefits. When navigating digital dating situations, it is important to be vigilant and protect yourself from these sophisticated schemes. If something seems to be better than it's true, then it's probably true. Trust your instincts, take things slowly, and always prioritize your safety and financial well-being.

Click here to get the Fox News app

How has the rise of AI-powered romance scams changed our approach to views on online dating or digital relationships? Write us and let us know cyberguy.com/contact.

For more information about my tech tips and security alerts, sign up for our free Cyberguy Report Newsletter cyberguy.com/newsletter.

Ask us a question in our cart or let us know what you want us to cover.

Follow your cart on his social channels:

Answers to the most asked Cyber ​​Guy questions:

New from Cart:

Copyright 2025 cyberguy.com. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.