OPINION: AI-doctored identities present more deception for online daters

Is it love, or is it a Russian bot?

As with so many scams, the advent of artificial intelligence is giving fake online daters better ways to dupe people into giving up their money and their identities.

A recent analysis by Norton, an antivirus and security software company, showed that 26% of those surveyed were targeted by a dating scam, with more than half falling victim.

In addition, 32% of the 13,000 adults surveyed across 13 countries who have used an online dating app or service said they had been targeted by catfishing. That’s when a bad actor uses bogus information and images to create a fake online identity.

What’s happening is a technological twist on the longtime romance scam, in which a bad actor preys on lonely people and then breaks their hearts and their bank accounts.

With AI, scammers can better manipulate their targets emotionally by creating videos of attractive individuals, or even famous people, expressing affection or making promises.

“For example, a scammer could send a deepfake video of ‘themselves’ speaking directly to the victim, reinforcing the illusion of a genuine connection,” according to Social Catfish, an internet fraud company. “This visual authenticity makes it harder for victims to doubt the scammer’s identity.”

It used to be a red flag when an online love interest refused to meet in person or via a video chat. But now, fake Romeos can have real-time video chats by using face-swapping technology, a digital process in which a person’s face is swapped for that of someone else. That way, their real identity is unknown.

“Reports have shown an increase in deepfake-enabled romance scams, where victims are deceived into long-term relationships with non-existent individuals,” says Social Catfish.

For example, one North Texas woman earlier this year lost thousands of dollars to an imposter who posed as Frankie Beverly, the woman’s favorite singer.

She had been drawn in by a message through a Facebook account, which was followed by photos, AI-generated voice messages and even a supposed marriage proposal. The bogus romance crumbled when the woman read the real singer’s announcement about how his identity had been hijacked in an effort to swindle his fans.

Those who tap into online dating have always had to be cautious; now doctored identities means they must be that much more vigilant.

Here’s what to know:

• Check the person out by doing a reverse-image search of any posted profile pictures. You might learn that the image is associated with a different name or that it raises questions about other details you’ve been given.
• If a conversation seems odd or the person isn’t answering your questions directly, those could be signs that you’re dealing with an AI bot or software program.
• If you have progressed to a video meeting, look for red-flag qualities like weird facial expressions, speech that doesn’t match facial movement or hair that doesn’t look real or is otherwise odd.

And in general, with any kind of online dating practice, be wary of someone who says they need money immediately after they have gained your trust. They’ll say it’s some sort of emergency — or that they need plane fare to come meet you — and they’ll want it paid with gift cards or bitcoin.

Flee!

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division at 505-490-4060. Complaints can be filed electronically at nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/