New Delhi. Romance fraud scams are emerging as a serious cyber threat as fraudsters increasingly use social media, dating platforms and AI-generated fake identities to build emotional trust and steal money from victims. A new international report has stated that victims in the United Kingdom lost more than ₹13.5 crore in 2025 through online relationship scams, while more than 10,784 romance fraud complaints were reported nationally and total losses crossed nearly ₹1,145 crore.
Fraudsters Build Trust Through Online Relationships
According to the report, cyber criminals usually approach victims through social media or dating platforms and gradually develop emotional trust over weeks or months. They maintain regular communication to convince victims that the relationship is genuine before making financial demands.
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Once emotional dependency is created, scammers ask for money under different pretexts, including medical emergencies, travel expenses, business problems or investment opportunities. Investigators said criminals are using psychological manipulation and persuasive emotional language to exploit victims without immediately raising suspicion.
The report found that people aged between 55 and 74 suffered the highest financial losses in romance fraud cases. While men filed more complaints overall, women accounted for more than 40 percent of the total financial losses. In some extreme cases, individual victims reportedly lost more than ₹11 crore.
AI-Generated Identities Make Scams More Convincing
Law enforcement agencies have warned that romance scams are becoming more sophisticated with the growing use of artificial intelligence. Fraudsters are now using AI-generated photographs, deepfake video calls and professionally designed fake social media profiles to create convincing digital identities.
In several cases, romance scams have also been linked to cryptocurrency investment frauds. Victims are first emotionally manipulated and later persuaded to invest in fake digital trading schemes.
Experts said warning signs may include quick declarations of deep emotional attachment, refusal to meet in person, avoidance of live video calls and sudden requests for money. Demands involving cryptocurrency, gift cards or overseas transfers are considered major red flags.
Experts Warn Against Emotional and Financial Manipulation
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said romance fraud has moved beyond financial cheating and has become a serious form of emotional and psychological exploitation. He said cyber criminals use social engineering to manipulate loneliness, trust and emotional vulnerability.
Researchers at the Future Crime Research Foundation also warned that AI-powered fake identities and deepfake technologies could make romance scams more dangerous in the coming years. The organisation noted that criminals are analysing social media activity, publicly available photographs and digital behaviour patterns to run targeted scams.
Experts have advised people to avoid trusting online relationships too quickly and to remain cautious before sharing personal or financial information. They also suggested conducting reverse image searches on profile pictures, discussing suspicious relationships with trusted family members or friends, and avoiding money transfers without proper verification. Victims who suspect romance fraud have been urged to contact banks and cyber crime reporting agencies immediately.
