A man in Shanghai lost almost $28,000 after being tricked into thinking he was in a long-distance relationship with an AI-created girlfriend, according to Chinese state media. Scammers used AI technology to make fake videos and photos of a young woman, pretending to be someone named "Ms. Jiao."

The man sent nearly 200,000 yuan (around $28,000) to what he thought was his online girlfriend's bank account. The scammers convinced him that she needed money to start a business and pay for a relative's medical bills. They even made a fake ID and medical reports to make the story seem real.

The scam was carried out by a team that used AI to create videos and photos by mixing different images, CCTV reported, based on a police investigation. The victim, Mr. Liu, never met "Ms. Jiao" in person.
A CCTV video showed photos of a woman in different situations, like posing with a paint palette and standing on a street.

AI tools that can create convincing text, images, and even live videos are now being used for more advanced scams around the world. Earlier this month, Meta, the company behind Facebook, warned people to be careful of online friends who promise romance but ask for money. They said scams using AI are increasing.

Scams using AI chatbots

AI-driven scams are becoming a global concern. A 2024 survey found that 36% of people believe online scams have become more sophisticated due to artificial intelligence. In the United States, AI-powered deepfake fraud calls have been particularly prevalent. In the fourth quarter of 2024, these scams were among the most financially devastating, with the average reported loss per victim of fraud calls being $539.

Globally, the rise of AI tools capable of generating convincing text, images, and even live video has led to more sophisticated scams. Earlier this month, Meta, the company behind Facebook, warned users to be cautious of online acquaintances promising romance but seeking money, noting that scams utilizing generative AI are on the rise.

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