AI-generated fake girlfriend convinces man to send £22,000

(Web Desk): A man in China lost nearly £22,000 to an advanced AI dating scam, according to reports from state media.

The victim, known only by his surname Liu, thought he was in a relationship with a woman named Ms Jiao. She sent him personal messages, photos, and videos, making him believe they were in a genuine romantic relationship. However, Liu had no idea that Ms Jiao was not real; she was a fake persona created using artificial intelligence.

The scammers behind the fake identity manipulated Liu into sending a total of 200,000 yuan (around £21,722), claiming the money was needed for medical bills and business expenses. The fraudsters used AI to create realistic photos and videos of Ms Jiao, and even fabricated medical reports to make Liu believe she was in financial trouble.

A police investigation revealed the extent of the scam, highlighting how AI technology was used to deceive Liu. AI-generated romance scams, where fake personas are created to trick people into sending money, have become a growing concern worldwide. In many cases, fraudsters use AI to develop convincing digital characters that appear to be real people, manipulating victims for financial gain.

This incident is part of a rising trend of AI-based romance scams. In January, scammers tricked a 53-year-old woman in France into believing she was in a relationship with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. They stole £661,508 from her using fake messages and AI-generated videos.

As AI technology improves, experts warn that these types of scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.