Love in the digital age has never been easier—or more dangerous.
As artificial intelligence becomes smarter, scammers are using AI-powered chatbots to trick people on dating apps. International private investigators at Wymoo have witnessed how criminals are using bots that can send flirty messages, hold long conversations, and even send “selfies” that look incredibly real. But behind that perfect profile is often a criminal, using AI to scam victims out of their money, personal data, or both.
Real Conversations, Fake People
Recent statistics show that romance scams increased by 20 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, compared to Q1 2024, with the majority of these scams originating on social media sites and online dating platforms and victims losing an average of $8000 per victim. And now, scammers are adding AI tools to their schemes, making it harder than ever to spot a fake.
Instead of typing out messages themselves, scammers use AI programs to create believable conversations. These chatbots can reply in seconds, mimic emotions, and even adjust their style to match the victim’s tone. People in the U.S. and U.K. are being tricked by chatbots posing as real women and men on dating apps, and they only come to realize the truth after weeks or months of talking—and sending money.
The Rise of “Love Bots”
Some criminals don’t even need to show up. They use completely automated bots to lure victims in. In 2023, cybersecurity experts at Home Security Heroes tested how fast ChatGPT could create fake dating profiles and love messages. The result? The AI generated convincing romantic messages in seconds—good enough to fool most people.
These bots aren’t just used by individual scammers. Organized fraud rings now use them to talk to hundreds of victims at once. A single scammer can run dozens of fake conversations, making thousands of dollars each week.
What this means for romance scam victims:
- Higher financial impact: Scammers are draining more money per incident.
- Romance scams remain prevalent, with tens of thousands of victims reported each year.
- Geographic hotspots: State-level data like Pennsylvania and Virginia show that losses are widespread and significant.
AI allows scammers to be faster, smarter, and more believable. Some even use AI-generated videos, known as “deepfakes,” to appear in live chats. These deepfakes can smile, nod, and speak like a real person. For the average user, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between a real person and an AI-powered profile.
The Human Difference: Why Background Investigations Still Matter
With all this technology, how can anyone stay safe?
That’s where a human-led dating background check investigation becomes essential. AI can mimic a person, but it can’t create real identity records, marriage certificates, employment history, or criminal background. A professional investigator can verify:
- If the person is who they say they are
- Their real location, not just the one in their profile
- Whether they’re married, divorced, or using a fake photo
- Their employment, education, and any red flags
At Wymoo, our investigators conduct discreet background checks in over 100 countries. We rely on real human research—not algorithms—to protect our clients from scams.
Don’t Let a Bot Break Your Heart
It’s easy to fall for someone online. But before you invest your heart or money, make sure the person on the other side is real. In today’s world, even love can be automated—and that’s a risk no one should take.
Need to verify someone you met online? Contact us for a confidential investigation quote.
C. Wright
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