The message begins like many modern love stories: a warm greeting, a shared interest, and a polite good-morning text sent regularly. This Valentine’s Day, investigators warn that behind many such online romances there may not be a true partner, but a well-planned scam.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has flagged a sharp rise in AI-driven romance frauds using synthetic faces, voices, and conversations. The risk is global: a survey found 60% of Indians received dating invites later exposed as fake, highlighting the scale.
Romance scams are not new. What has changed is the scale and realism. AI can now generate lifelike profile photos, craft intimate messages tailored to a person’s social media activity, and even stage deepfake video calls. What appears to be effortless compatibility is often carefully engineered.
Experts say these operations are usually run from overseas, with one fraudster handling several victims at the same time while maintaining daily, emotionally consistent communication that resembles a genuine relationship.
Global losses run into billions of dollars, but the damage is not only financial. Many victims describe a deep sense of personal loss, the end of what they believed was a real emotional bond, not merely a case of fraud.
The pattern is consistent. A profession that explains distance, an engineer on an offshore project, a soldier posted abroad. A crisis and a request for help that sounds temporary and urgent.
Increasingly, the romance is followed by an ‘investment opportunity’, usually in cryptocurrency, where victims see fake profits on polished apps but cannot withdraw their money.
Also Read: How to Protect Yourself From Online Scams Across Social Media Apps
In India, where the use of dating apps and social media is rising rapidly, such fraud is no longer a distant risk. Similar cases are being reported on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram.
Investigators recommend basic precautions. Users should insist on live, unscripted video calls and verify profile images. They should avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person and consult a trusted person before making financial decisions.
With online interactions increasing during the season, the advisory stresses that while genuine connections exist, the growing use of artificial intelligence in scams makes verification and caution essential.