Recently, my friend told me about her colleague who, after a breakup, joined a popular dating app on his friend’s advice. He quickly connected with a stunning girl from another state, and they talked for months. She seemed perfect, but after he sent her money for an alleged accident, she vanished into thin air. Upon investigation, he discovered that he had fallen victim to a dating scam using AI-generated fake photos and voices.
After the rise of technology and AI, it has become really difficult to tell the difference between fake and real. Mostly heartbroken men and women who turn to online dating apps in a quest to find a love interest are easy prey for this online dating scam, commonly known as an online romance scam.
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According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), almost 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022, resulting in financial losses of $1.3 billion. On the other hand, We also know couples in our society who are now happily married after meeting on online dating apps. In fact, a study from Stanford University found that in 2022, 50.5% of all new couples met online.
So now, the real question is: what is the future of online dating with so many people becoming victims of AI-generated fake identity scams? How can we find true love while avoiding these fakes? In this blog, we’ll try to answer these questions. If you’re looking for answers, read until the end.
Common Online Dating Scams to Watch for in 2024
Imagine you get a message on a dating app, and a woman quickly becomes your emotional support and romantic interest. She then asks for money to book a business-class flight to meet you, but after you send it, she vanishes. You realize too late that you’ve been scammed.
Scammers love to rush things to scoop up your personal details and check out your bank account. Some victims lost thousands of dollars to people they believed were real women, only to find out they were fakes. The scammers were stealing both their money and their hearts.
In 2017 alone, victims lost US$ 19,061,703 to romance and dating scammers. Online dating scams most frequently target people aged 55 to 64. In 2020, older adults lost nearly $139 million to these scams.
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Common Dating Scams of 2024 are,
- Overseas Romance Scams:
Scammers claim to be overseas, avoiding in-person meetings.
- Financial Fraud:
Fake partners ask for money for emergencies or travel expenses.
- Two-Factor Authentication Scams:
Scammers trick you into sharing 2FA codes to access your accounts.
- Catfishing:
Scammers use fake profiles and stolen photos to deceive you.
- Phishing Scams:
Scammers try to obtain personal information like passwords and banking details.
- Sextortion:
Blackmail involves threats to share intimate content unless you pay or comply.
- Fake Dating Sites:
Websites that charge for messages but never facilitate real meetings.
- Malware Scams:
Scammers send links or attachments that install malware on your device.
- Money Mule Recruitment:
Victims are unknowingly used to launder money for criminals.
- Inheritance Scams:
Scammers promise inheritance money but ask for your financial details.
- Photo Scams:
Fake profiles use stolen or altered photos to appear legitimate.
- Cryptocurrency Investment Scams:
Scammers convince you to invest in worthless cryptocurrency.
- Tinder Phone Number Scam:
Scammers ask you to call or text specific numbers to steal your information.
AI-Based Scams & Heart Break
Due to the daily release of new and innovative AI technology, cyber scammers are coming up with creative methods to extract large amounts of money from their victims. Nowadays, people post almost everything on social media. Scammers use the social profiles of their victims to send personalized impersonation attacks. Egress Threat Intelligence reports that Tinder is the most impersonated dating app, with a staggering 43% increase in attacks in only February 2024.
These scams typically unfold in the following stages:
1. Creating a Fake Profile:
Scammers use AI to generate realistic photos and detailed profiles that seem genuine. They often steal information and images from real people to build trust with their targets.
Scam Markers:
- Specific phrases and words, such as “ I love to manifest”.
- Unusual locations, mostly from rich localities
- High number of messages, overly affectionate early on.
- Broad age range interest (e.g., 18-82 years old).
- Picture selection (No candid photos only professional images).
2. Building a Relationship:
The scammer reaches out to potential victims on dating sites or social media platforms. Using AI-powered chatbots, they engage in conversations that feel natural and emotionally engaging. These bots can mimic human responses, making it difficult to identify them as fake.
Scam Markers:
- Quick declarations of love.
- Love Bombing
- Personalized responses.
- Agreeing with everything you say.
- No arguing with you
- Want to take the conversation off the dating site
3. Manipulating Emotions:
Once trust is established, scammers create a sense of urgency or emotional dependency. They might share fabricated stories of personal tragedy or financial hardship to elicit sympathy and financial support from the victim.
Scam Markers:
- Dramatic personal tragedies.
- Sudden financial emergencies.
- Boasting about high cryptocurrency returns.
4. Requesting Money:
The ultimate goal is to convince the victim to send money. Scammers may ask for funds to cover medical expenses, travel costs, or other emergencies. They often promise to pay back the money or meet the victim in person, but these promises are never fulfilled.
Scams Markers
- Requests for urgent help.
- Creating emotional dependency.
- Overly emotional storytelling.
Why are People More Likely to Fall for These Types of Scams?
The rise of AI has made it increasingly easy for scammers to deceive people, especially those aged 40 and older who may not be as tech-savvy. A survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that only 18% feel “very confident” in their ability to spot a scam before falling victim. The same survey revealed that nearly half of the American population is susceptible to AI-related dating scams, largely due to psychological and emotional factors.
Even highly intelligent individuals can be misled when they are overwhelmed by heartfelt, romantic messages from scammers. The scammers’ tactics include studying victims’ online profiles in detail to create convincing, personalized attacks. This manipulation blurs the line between reality and deception, making it harder for victims to distinguish between genuine and fake interactions.
Here are the reasons why people fall for scams:
- Highly appealing and seemingly perfect profiles.
- Skilled scammers use psychological tactics, such as love bombing, to create intense emotional bonds quickly.
- Loneliness and the need for affection are exploited.
- Scammers mainly focus on information that confirms the victims’ hopes.
- Seeking companionship makes individuals more vulnerable.
- Personal insecurities can be overcome when receiving affection from an attractive person.
How to Protect Yourself from AI Scams
AI scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it more challenging to identify and avoid them. Scammers use advanced technology to create realistic profiles, engaging conversations, and emotional manipulation tactics. However, by staying vigilant and following certain precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Here are some steps you can take:
- If a profile seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of profiles with stunning photos, vague information, or a lack of online presence.
- Use reverse email search tools to check if the email belongs to the same person or not.
- Before getting too emotionally involved, verify the person’s identity.
- Video calls can help confirm that the person matches their profile picture. Be cautious if they always have excuses for not meeting in person or on video calls.
- Be on the lookout for common scammer tactics, such as professing love too quickly, sharing sob stories, or asking for money.
- If someone you’ve never met in person asks for financial assistance, it’s a major red flag.
- Avoid sharing personal information, such as your address, financial details, or social security number, with someone you’ve met online.
- Scammers can use this information to exploit you further.
- If you suspect you’re being targeted by a scammer, report the profile to the dating site or social media platform.
- Informing the authorities can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.
Wrapping Up:
AI dating scams are becoming a big problem, showing the tricky side of technology. Online dating can be a great way to find love, but you need to stay alert to avoid these scams. Don’t let fear stop you from looking for that special someone. Just keep an eye out for red flags and check profiles carefully. With a bit of caution, you can still have fun with online dating and maybe even find the love you’ve been searching for.
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