The public is increasingly vulnerable to romance scammers who use artificial intelligence to achieve a veneer of authenticity, according to the FBI.
The bureau cautioned that criminals are using fake accounts on social media platforms, dating apps, and other avenues to scam victims, particularly ahead of Valentine’s Day, when thousands are defrauded annually through romance schemes, resulting in losses worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. In the age of AI, those with ill intent are now wielding the technology to fortify scams, making it easier for criminals to gain trust, establish relationships, and convince victims to hand over money or sensitive financial information, according to the FBI.
“Romance scammers are master manipulators who exploit trust and emotion, and they are becoming more sophisticated by the day with the use of artificial intelligence,” FBI San Francisco Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani said this week.
Scammers can utilize AI to generate realistic photos, videos, and voice messages, as well as to write emotionally persuasive communications that mimic genuine relationships, making it easier to manipulate victims. By exploiting AI to create authentic-looking images for fictitious social media profiles and videos for private communications, criminals are making it harder for the public to distinguish truth from fiction, according to the FBI.
In San Francisco alone, the FBI’s local division reported more than $40 million lost to romance scams last year. It’s a problem faced around the country, as FBI data from 2024 showed that more than 17,000 people reported being victims of romance scams, totaling more than $672 million in losses. Additionally, officials note that many cases go unreported.
Shelley Lynch with FBI Charlotte said scammers can start by immediately complimenting victims to gain their trust, and then can guilt them into making payments for travel costs and other necessities. Over 500 people in North Carolina fell victim to romance or confidence scams in 2024, losing a total of $18.8 million, or an average of $36,000 per person, according to FBI data.
“[Scammers] are especially aggressive ahead of Valentine’s Day. Really looking for somebody they can exploit, to part them from their money,” Lynch told WRAL News.
In many scenarios, criminals engage in cryptocurrency scams after they’ve gained trust.
THE AGE OF AI IS HERE — HOW SHOULD IT BE REGULATED?
They claim to have earned large profits through trading cryptocurrency, precious metals, or foreign currency, and then offer to help the victim do the same, according to the FBI.
“Fraudsters are lurking online claiming to be looking for love when they’re really just looking to loot your bank account,” Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, told the Hill. “We’re urging everyone to take a beat. The best weapon against these scammers is a healthy dose of skepticism.”
