In a bizarre case of cyber fraud, an AI-generated girlfriend scams Chinese man out of nearly £22,000 after he was tricked into believing he was in a real relationship. The victim, identified as Mr. Liu, was led to believe that he was romantically involved with a woman named Ms. Jiao, who sent him messages, photos, and even videos. However, Ms. Jiao was nothing more than an AI-generated persona created by scammers to deceive and exploit him financially.
AI-Generated Girlfriend Scams Chinese Man with Fake Identity
Liu’s online relationship with Ms. Jiao seemed genuine, as she frequently shared personalized texts, images, and videos. The scammers behind the AI-generated woman took advantage of Liu’s emotions, persuading him to send a total of 200,000 yuan (approximately £21,722) to cover alleged medical bills and business expenses.
A police investigation later exposed the scam, revealing that Ms. Jiao never existed. Fraudsters had used advanced AI technology to create realistic images and videos, as well as fabricated medical reports to convince Liu of her financial struggles. Shockingly, he never met “her” in person, making it easier for the criminals to maintain the illusion.
AI-Powered Romance Scams on the Rise
AI-driven scams are becoming a growing global threat, with criminals using technology to create convincing digital personas. Similar cases have been reported worldwide, including a French woman losing £661,508 to scammers posing as Brad Pitt and a British woman being conned out of £19,752 by a fraudster using AI-generated content.
With AI technology becoming more sophisticated, authorities warn internet users to exercise caution in online relationships and verify identities before making any financial commitments.
Read more: Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI CEOs Called to AI Safety Meeting at White House
