The Threat of AI in Romance Scams: How Mafias 'Hack' the Brain

UOC experts warn about the use of deepfake technology to simulate identities and extort vulnerable victims.

Generic image of a person using a dating app in a digital environment.
IA

Generic image of a person using a dating app in a digital environment.

The rise of generative AI has transformed online romance scams into tools for mass manipulation, allowing international mafias to simulate hyper-realistic identities to financially extort their victims.

During a conference organized by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), experts analyzed how technology acts as a catalyst for cybercrime. Professor Patricia Hernández Hidalgo highlighted that deepfakes and voice impersonation allow scammers to overcome the distrust that previously existed when suspects avoided video calls.

"While you think you are talking to the love of your life, three or four different people are passing your profile around."

Bruno Pérez · Computer forensic expert
These criminal networks often operate from countries like Russia, Ukraine, or Southeast Asia, targeting vulnerable profiles on dating apps. The process involves a love bombing phase to create a biochemical dependency in the victim's brain before requesting money for alleged emergencies.