Protect your heart and wallet from deep fake romance scams

In an age where technology has become intertwined with our daily lives, the search for companionship has increasingly moved online.

However, this digital quest for love has opened the door to a new breed of con artists armed with sophisticated tools that can deceive even the most cautious of hearts.


‘Deepfake technology’, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing fake videos and audio recordings, has taken romance scams to a frightening new level.

These 'rom-cons' are no longer limited to dubious text messages or questionable profile pictures.

Now, they can involve real-time video calls with suitors who appear as charming and attractive as anyone could wish for, but in reality, are nothing more than illusions made by scammers.


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Scammers are now engaging in love scams that drain their victims’ wallets due to the rise of deepfake technology. Image Credit: Pexels/Pixabay


Sometimes referred to as 'Yahoo Boys', these scammers are adept at using face-swapping gear to create a false identity nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

The process is simple yet alarmingly effective.

The scammer uses a stolen photo from social media, manipulates it with readily available software, and just like that—they've assumed a new identity.

They present themselves as a professional from a neighbouring state, but beneath the mask is a con artist ready to exploit your emotions for money.


The conversations start innocently enough, with flirtatious banter and compliments.

Soon, they start to ask for money—perhaps for a relative in dire need or an ‘investment opportunity’ that’s too good to be true.

Sometimes, they might even ask for intimate photos, laying the groundwork for potential blackmail.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been on their toes in tracking these scammers, as scammers have swindled over $8 million from victims across the country.

ACCC’s deputy chair Catriona Lowe confirmed 400 reported cases on ScamWatch, with one victim losing over $80,000 in cryptocurrency after seeing a deep fake video of billionaire Elon Musk.


In a similar event, a Hong Kong-based company lost over HK$200 million (A$40 million) in another deep fake scam, with an employee replicating the likeness and the voice of the company’s senior officials.

With the government working with social media platforms like Meta and banks across the region, victims of deep fake frauds may be entitled to compensation soon.

The scammers are unashamed and brazen, sharing how-to videos on executing these scams across various online platforms.

They exchange tips on the most effective software and even send gifts to build rapport with their targets.

They've become so proficient that they can now conduct real-time deep fake video calls—a significant evolution from the pre-recorded clips used in the past.


So, how can you protect yourself from these heartless rom-cons? Vigilance is key.

Be wary of anyone trying to isolate or rush you into financial commitments.

If you're unsure about a suitor's authenticity, involve a friend or family member in the conversation for a second opinion.

Conduct basic research on people you meet on dating sites, and use reverse image searches to verify their photos.

Most importantly, guard your personal and financial information fiercely, and never send money to someone you've only met online.

The Seniors Discount Club’s forums have the Scam Watch section to inform us of the latest con artist tactics and scams.
Key Takeaways

  • Online daters are at risk of falling for real-time deepfake romance scams by con artists, often based in Africa.
  • These scammers create persuasive video calls using deepfake technology, making them appear as a different, often more attractive, person.
  • Victims reported substantial financial losses, with some losing 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' to these sophisticated scams.
  • Experts encouraged online daters to be vigilant, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and seek a second opinion from friends or family when in doubt.
Have you or someone you know encountered a deepfake romance scam? Share your experiences in the comments below to help raise awareness within our community.
 
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I have started to chat to a few different 'celebrities' & eventually they end up asking for $ for their fan club membership card which entitles the holder to a meet & greet etc, private conversations, that type of thing. It is supposedly all made up by their managers & they themselves have nothing to do with it. As soon as I say I got no $ to afford it, never hear from them again!
 
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I have started to chat to a few different 'celebrities' & eventually they end up asking for $ for their fan club membership card which entitles the holder to a meet & greet etc, private conversations, that type of thing. It is supposedly all made up by their managers & they themselves have nothing to do with it. As soon as I say I got no $ to afford it, never hear from them again!
I doubt very much that this is their managers.
Most likely a phishing scam,that wouldn't have been the end of the requests for money.
 
THE INTERNET CANNOT BE TRUSTED ANYMORE THANKS TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. IF ANYONE ASKS ME FOR MONEY I JUST SAY NO, NO MATTER WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE. IF A PRETTY YOUNG GIRL FRIEND REQUESTS ME ON FB (I'M RETIRED) I DECLINE THEN BLOCK THEM. MOST OF THESE SCAMS ARE SO OBVIOUS IT'S LAUGHABLE.
 
Always this desperation to have a (loving) partner, makes me wonder if the person has any self respect. They should enjoy their lives, travel, be active with sports or book reading groups. Perhaps it is just me, but the thought of being part of the standard house with a white fence; husband, two kids, dog and cat, barbecue .... makes me run a mile. My life has been quite wonderful and if I was not on my own to do what I want and when I want, I would not have been able to live and work overseas in various countries, meet an array of terrific people and simply enjoy my every day.
 
What a sad world we live in these days where people are so lonely that these lowlifes can perpetrate such crimes against them. 😡
Yes, it is sad, but loneliness is a terrible thing and we have so much of it. I see what loneliness does to people in my job, unfortunately, it is up to the individual to change their situation. Loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day on one’s health. While loneliness exists, lowlifes as you describe them will continue to exploit anyone they can.
 
Yes another scam on Facebook few days ago, company called Home Accessories, supposedly Adairs shop closing down sale, bought a few things $75.00 worth, haven't received any invoice, no payment details, no delivery details, have sent them 3 emails, still no reply, don't know what to do, any suggestions, I have got the company details from my bank account called Stringar... apparently in Hong Kong... Peoples please BEWARE ::!!
 
I did post the above Scam, I have since gone into my online netbank and a message came up.... that my $75.00 I thought I lost, the payment has been stopped from the Commonwealth bank because it's deemed suspicious... well done Comm Bank..... I've certainly learnt my lesson... as they say if the prices are too good to be true.... it usually is !!!
 
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Always this desperation to have a (loving) partner, makes me wonder if the person has any self respect. They should enjoy their lives, travel, be active with sports or book reading groups. Perhaps it is just me, but the thought of being part of the standard house with a white fence; husband, two kids, dog and cat, barbecue .... makes me run a mile. My life has been quite wonderful and if I was not on my own to do what I want and when I want, I would not have been able to live and work overseas in various countries,
 
Yes another scam on Facebook few days ago, company called Home Accessories, supposedly Adairs shop closing down sale, bought a few things $75.00 worth, haven't received any invoice, no payment details, no delivery details, have sent them 3 emails, still no reply, don't know what to do, any suggestions, I have got the company details from my bank account called Stringar... apparently in Hong Kong... Peoples please BEWARE ::!!
Did you pay through papal?
 
As soon as anyone asks for dollars it blocking time. Also there are young guns out there who seem to think it’s fair go to start a relationship to get free accommodation etc . Please realise that there will be a young thing waiting in the background. ( young male - female or young female - male). Do not be sucked in
 
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Did you pay through papal?
No, I didn't, I usually always pay from paypal, it showed it had Pay Pal along with others, when I pressed on it , it didn't accept, anyway I left a comment about this problem and low and behold by Bank knew it was a scam and let me know through netbank they blocked the payment, Lucky me !!
 
It really is very sad isn’t it …..Sometimes people are so vulnerable in their loneliness that they want to hold on to the person showing them even an ounce of affection……a scammers easy picking…….it would be good if communities could get together and organise maybe a weekly coffee morning, some place close by, where lonely people, especially elders, could have some conversation with others in the same boat….. 🤷‍♀️
What a sad world we live in these days where people are so lonely that these lowlifes can perpetrate such crimes against them. 😡
 
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