AI Chatbot Romance Scam

An AI-powered chatbot, sometimes on a dating app, carries on a convincingly personal conversation for weeks or months before steering the victim toward sending money, gifts, or investing in a fraudulent scheme.

A scammer deploys an AI chatbot on a dating app or messaging platform, sometimes paired with an appealing stolen profile photo, to carry on an engaging and emotionally responsive conversation around the clock. Because the bot can chat instantly at any hour and adapt its tone to keep the victim interested, it builds a sense of closeness over weeks before steering the conversation toward a financial ask — a crypto "investment opportunity," travel money, or gifts — sometimes with a human operator taking over once the victim is emotionally invested enough to pay.

• Replies come instantly at all hours, even very late at night.
• Conversation feels emotionally intense very quickly but avoids specific, personal follow-ups.
• The match consistently avoids or postpones video calls.
• The relationship eventually pivots toward an investment tip or financial request.

• Be cautious of a match who is available to chat constantly at all hours but avoids calls or video.
• Watch for oddly generic or repetitive phrasing that can indicate an automated response.
• Never send money or financial details to someone you've only spoken to online.
• Ask specific, personal follow-up questions that a scripted bot is likely to answer inconsistently.