HIGH RISK
AI Girlfriend/Boyfriend Scam
Fake romantic partners powered by AI chatbots that build emotional relationships, then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency.
Losses: Emerging — part of $1.1 billion in romance fraud (2024)
Targets: Lonely individuals, men 25-55, people seeking online companionship
Updated: 2026-01-07
Also known as: AI Romance Scam • Chatbot Romance Scam • Virtual Girlfriend Scam • AI Companion Scam
1How It Works
Scammers deploy AI chatbots that can maintain convincing romantic conversations 24/7, scaling romance scams to thousands of victims simultaneously.
**How it works:**
1. You match with an attractive profile on a dating app or social media
2. Conversation is engaging, responsive, and emotionally intelligent
3. The "person" seems perfect — always available, never argues, deeply interested in you
4. Relationship intensifies over weeks or months
5. Eventually, requests for money begin — emergency, investment opportunity, or gifts
6. Some scams use AI-generated photos and voice messages to seem more real
**Why AI makes it worse:**
- Scammers can run hundreds of relationships simultaneously
- AI never sleeps — instant responses at any hour
- Conversations are personalized based on your responses
- AI can remember details and build continuity
- Harder to detect than obviously scripted messages
**Variations:**
- **Paid companion apps**: Charge subscription fees for AI "relationships" that encourage in-app purchases
- **Crypto romance**: AI builds relationship, then pushes fake investment platforms
- **Gift card harvesting**: AI requests gift cards for "phone bill" or "emergency"
How Scammers Make Contact
Dating appsSocial media DMsDedicated "companion" appsTelegramDiscord
2Warning Signs & Red Flags
- Responses come instantly at any hour, even 3 AM
- Conversation feels too perfect — never any disagreements
- They remember everything you say with unusual precision
- Refuses video calls or always has excuses
- Photos look AI-generated (check for asymmetry, weird backgrounds)
- Never makes typos or grammatical errors (or makes the same ones repeatedly)
- Emotional escalation happens very quickly
- Eventually asks for money, crypto, or gift cards
- Relationship exists only in text — no real-world interaction
3Real-World Example
"I thought I found my soulmate on a dating app. She texted me constantly for three months — always there when I needed to talk. The conversations were incredible. When she needed $5,000 for a family emergency, I sent it without question. Then $3,000 more. My friend pointed out her messages always came within seconds, even at 4 AM. I tested it — she responded to a 3 AM message in 8 seconds. It was a bot the whole time."
— FBI IC3 Consumer Alert 2025
4How to Protect Yourself
- Insist on video calls early in any online relationship
- Use reverse image search on profile photos
- Be suspicious of 24/7 instant responses
- Ask unexpected questions that require real human knowledge
- Never send money to someone you haven't met in person
- Research any "companion" apps before paying
- Trust your instincts — if it seems too perfect, it probably is
- Talk to friends and family about online relationships
5What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop all communication immediately
- 2Do not send any more money or gifts
- 3Screenshot all conversations and transactions
- 4Report the profile to the dating app or platform
- 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6Report to FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
- 7Seek emotional support — these scams cause real psychological harm
- 8Be wary of "recovery" scammers who may target you next
Report This Scam
?Frequently Asked Questions
What is AI Girlfriend/Boyfriend Scam?
Fake romantic partners powered by AI chatbots that build emotional relationships, then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency. Scammers deploy AI chatbots that can maintain convincing romantic conversations 24/7, scaling romance scams to thousands of victims simultaneously.
**How it works:**
1. You match with an attractive profile on a dating app or social media
2. Conversation is engaging, responsive, and emotionally inte...
How common is this type of scam?
AI Girlfriend/Boyfriend Scam is classified as a high risk threat. Reported losses: Emerging — part of $1.1 billion in romance fraud (2024). This primarily targets Lonely individuals, men 25-55, people seeking online companionship.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
Pig Butchering Scam
Long-con investment scam combining romance and crypto fraud where scammers "fatten" victims before "slaughtering" them financially.
AI Voice Cloning Scam
Scammers use AI to clone the voice of a family member, then call claiming to be in an emergency and needing money immediately.
Romance Scam
Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps or social media, build romantic relationships, then ask for money for emergencies or investments.
Think You've Encountered This Scam?
Use our free AI scanner to analyze suspicious messages, websites, or phone numbers.
Scan Now — It's Free