L121 · Staying safe · 2 min
Online romance scams
Someone you met online who is caring, successful and never able to meet in person may be running a scam that ends with a request for money or an investment.
01 · The idea
Romance scams start slowly. A stranger messages by "mistake" or matches on a dating app, then chats every day for weeks. AI helps them write warm, flawless messages and keep many conversations going at once.
Their photos are often stolen or generated. They always have a reason not to video call properly, or the call is short and blurry.
Then comes the turn: a medical bill, a stuck customs package, or an exciting investment site where they say they have made a fortune. Victims are encouraged to start small, see fake profits, then put in more.
Talk to a friend you trust about anyone you have only met online. Never send money or invest because someone you have never met in person asks.
02 · Do it now
03 · Quick check
Words in this lesson
See also
L124Staying safe · 2 min
Fake bank staff asking for your face
Banks now use face checks for large transfers, and scammers pretend to help you "update your biometrics" so they can steal your face scan and your account.
L114Staying safe · 2 min
Scam texts with perfect spelling
AI writes scam messages that are polite, correct and personal, so judge a message by what it asks you to do.
L113Staying safe · 2 min
Fake celebrity endorsements
Videos of famous singers, business leaders or TV hosts praising an app or a product are often AI fakes made without their knowledge.
L112Staying safe · 2 min
Deepfake video calls
A short, blurry video call where a friend's face asks to borrow money can be a live AI fake, so seeing the face is no longer enough.