AI and Online Dating Scams: The New Age of Romance Fraud

Cupid’s arrow is now digital, especially this Valentine’s Day, and cybersecurity company McAfee is cautioning individuals about rising scams. As countless people across India turn to online platforms for love, recent research from McAfee India uncovers a troubling trend. The emergence of AI-driven romance scams is making it increasingly challenging to differentiate genuine affection from skilled digital deceit.

AI-Powered Romance Scams on the Rise

In a report titled “McAfee India Romance Scam Report 2025”, the firm highlights how artificial intelligence’s incorporation into the online dating arena has birthed a prime environment for con artists. A notable 61% of individuals in India believe it is possible to develop romantic feelings for an AI chatbot. Alarmingly, 51% reported that they or someone they know had been approached by an AI chatbot masquerading as a real person on dating applications or social media platforms. This merging of human and AI interactions is contributing to the growth of what McAfee refers to as “fauxmance,” leaving users particularly sensitive to scams and emotional exploitation.

Erosion of Trust in Online Dating

Pratim Mukherjee, Senior Director of Engineering at McAfee, highlighted the diminishing trust in the online dating sphere due to these evolving risks. He mentioned that online dating has significantly changed how connections are made, but it also brings forth a unique set of challenges. The survey indicated that 84% of Indians feel that online dating scams, such as those involving deepfake audio and video, as well as scam messages through text and email, have adversely affected their ability to trust potential partners.

Shift to Social Media for Romantic Connections

The McAfee study discovered that many individuals prefer social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram over traditional dating applications like Tinder and Bumble for forming romantic ties. This growing trend of utilising social media for dating not only increases the opportunities for genuine connections but also broadens the landscape for scams, with fraudsters employing fake profiles and AI-based tricks to exploit naive users.

The Dangers of Celebrity Impersonation

A particularly concerning scam involves fraudsters duplicating the identities of celebrities or well-known personalities on social media. McAfee’s findings revealed that 42% of respondents or someone they know had been contacted by individuals posing as celebrities. These scams often promise false meet-ups, collaborations, and fraudulent giveaways or VIP passes.

Consequences of Falling Victim to Scams

The fallout from such scams can be severe. Among those targeted, 47% reported suffering financial losses, 48% faced risks of identity theft, and 56% experienced significant emotional distress.

Spotting Fake Profiles and AI Deceptions

The research also indicated that 69% of Indians have encountered fake profiles or AI-generated images on dating apps or social media. This includes 34% who have found such profiles on leading dating platforms like Tinder and Bumble, while 54% had seen them on social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). In addition, 28% of individuals confessed to having chatted with what they thought was a true love interest, only to discover later that it was an AI-generated bot.

Essential Safety Tips for Online Dating

To enhance safety while dating online, McAfee recommends the following measures:

• Exercise caution with matches that seem too perfect – Avoid those who deny video calls, hastily take conversations off-platform, or express love too rapidly.
• Verify personal identities – Employ reverse image searches and conduct social media checks to confirm a person’s legitimacy.
• Safeguard personal details – Scammers can use small pieces of information, such as birthdays or pet names, to guess passwords and engage in identity theft.
• Refrain from sending money or gifts – A genuine romantic partner will never ask for financial help.
• Implement online security tools – Solutions such as McAfee Scam Protection can identify and block phishing attempts, AI-generated fraud, and dubious messages in real-time.