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"