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Scammers are creating thousands of fake people and putting them on dating apps. The new twist is that it is not just the profiles that researchers say are fake. In some cases, the apps themselves are part of the scam.
Online flirts might not be real people; they could be AI-generated personas on fake dating apps. According to Anthropic's September threat report, a China-based operation used artificial intelligence to develop a network of over 20 fake dating apps, populating them with more than 4,700 AI personas. These personas interacted with at least 25,000 people, generating approximately 2.36 million messages within just two weeks, showcasing a sophisticated new layer of online deception.
Robert Bohls, special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City field office, emphasizes the increasing sophistication of these AI-powered scams. FBI data reveals a significant rise in romance scam losses, which surged by 38% last year to nearly $1 billion. Older Americans are particularly targeted, accounting for over half a billion dollars in losses. AI's capability to replicate voices and personalize information makes these scams highly convincing and dangerous for victims.
As law enforcement faces challenges in keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI scams, the FBI advocates for increased public awareness and proactive measures. Bohls encourages individuals to talk about scams, report losses to authorities, share their stories, and engage in conversations with friends and family, especially those who may be lonely or vulnerable. He stresses that victims should not feel embarrassed, as these schemes are designed to be extremely persuasive, and reporting can help in shutting down bogus websites and potentially recovering stolen funds.