Shanghai – A man in China has fallen victim to an elaborate online scam, losing nearly US$28,000 after being deceived into believing he was in a romantic relationship with an AI-generated girlfriend. The case highlights the growing use of artificial intelligence in online fraud, raising concerns about the risks posed by increasingly sophisticated scams.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the victim, identified as Mr. Liu, was tricked by scammers who used AI technology to create lifelike images and videos of a fictional woman named “Ms. Jiao.” The fraudsters used these deepfake-style visuals to build a convincing persona, persuading Liu that he was in a long-distance relationship with a real person.
Believing he was helping his online partner, Liu transferred 200,000 yuan (approximately $28,000) to a bank account linked to the scammers. They had fabricated an emotional backstory, claiming Ms. Jiao needed funds to start a business and pay for a relative’s medical bills. To make the deception more credible, they even produced a fake ID and medical documents.
Police investigations revealed that the entire scheme was orchestrated by a group using AI-generated media and composite images. At no point did Liu meet “Ms. Jiao” in person, yet the scam was convincing enough for him to send large sums of money.
CCTV shared images used in the fraud, showing the fictitious woman in various scenarios, such as posing with a paint palette and standing on a busy city street. These images, combined with pre-recorded AI-generated videos, gave the illusion of a real person maintaining an active online presence.
The Rise of AI Scams
The case underscores the growing threat of AI-assisted fraud, where artificial intelligence is used to manipulate victims into handing over money. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently warned users to be cautious of romance scams involving generative AI. Criminals are increasingly using deepfake technology to create convincing fake personas, making online scams harder to detect.
As AI tools become more advanced, authorities worldwide are urging internet users to remain vigilant, especially when engaging in online relationships or financial transactions with people they have never met in person.
Preventing AI-Driven Scams
To avoid falling victim to AI-generated scams, cybersecurity experts recommend:
- Verifying identities through live video calls and cross-checking official records.
- Being skeptical of financial requests from online acquaintances.
- Using reverse image searches to detect AI-generated or stolen photos.
- Reporting suspicious accounts to authorities and social media platforms.
With AI-powered deception on the rise, experts say awareness and caution are key to staying safe in the digital age.
