Scammers Use AI to Fuel Rise in Romance Fraud

Experts warn of increasingly sophisticated tactics to target victims online

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The rise of AI technology has enabled scammers to create more convincing fake profiles and deep fakes, making it harder for victims to spot romance fraud. Experts advise caution when dating online, including verifying identities, avoiding quick intimacy, and refusing money requests from people you've never met in person.

Why it matters

Romance scams have become a major financial and emotional threat, with Americans losing over $672 million in 2024 alone. The use of AI has made these scams more widespread, with 1 in 4 Americans reporting encountering a fake profile or chatbot. Raising awareness of the tactics used can help protect people from falling victim.

The details

Scammers are using AI-generated photos and deep fakes to make their profiles and video calls appear more convincing. They'll go to great lengths to prove their identity, even sending selfies with the victim's name and date. However, asking the person to move their phone around or put their hand on their face can sometimes reveal the deep fake. Once trust is established, scammers will then ask for money, often claiming they need it for a plane ticket or are in a financial pinch. They will continue to push until the victim has nothing left.

  • In 2024, Americans lost over $672 million from romance scams, according to an FBI report.
  • A recent report by online protection company McAfee found that 1 in 4 Americans say they've encountered a fake profile or AI chatbot.

The players

Carrie Tomlinson

An expert who goes undercover to catch cyber scammers and teaches others how to spot red flags when dating online.

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What they’re saying

“Why are you pretending to be someone that you're not? Ask a video caller to put their hand on their face or to turn their head, and it might reveal them to be a deep fake.”

— Carrie Tomlinson, Undercover expert (WAPT)

What’s next

Victims of romance scams are advised to report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaints Center at IC3.gov and the FTC at report fraud.FTC.gov.

The takeaway

As AI technology continues to advance, it's crucial for people to be cautious when dating online. Verifying identities, avoiding quick intimacy, and refusing money requests from people you've never met in person are key steps to protect yourself from falling victim to increasingly sophisticated romance scams.