Why AI-powered romance scams are harder than ever to spot
How AI is transforming online romance scams, and what you can do to protect yourself
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated and challenging to detect, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers are investigating new methods to combat online fraud, with a focus on the rise of AI-powered romance scams. These scams involve scammers creating elaborate romantic relationships to manipulate and defraud their targets, often from distant locations.
A recent case saw six men extradited from South Africa for allegedly stealing over $6 million from more than 100 U.S. women; they formed long-term relationships with their victims before defrauding them. While online romance scams are not new, the internet has made it easier for scammers to create these schemes across international borders.
Assistant Professor Fangzhou Wang from the University of Texas at Arlington studies online financial crimes and has observed that AI is now making these scams harder to spot and more scalable. Wang's research examines how scammers use persuasion, trust, and deception to manipulate victims on dating apps, often leading to financial exploitation.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
