An increasingly sophisticated fraud ecosystem is operating on popular dating apps, combining artificial intelligence tools with human operators to target thousands of users seeking companionship online. The scheme, which has drawn attention from cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies alike, typically begins with fraudsters creating attractive fake profiles on mainstream dating platforms. These profiles are often staffed by low-wage gig workers from overseas who conduct lengthy text-based conversations with unsuspecting victims, building emotional bonds over weeks or even months before introducing financial manipulation.
What sets the current wave of scams apart is the integration of AI-powered chatbots into the operation. In many cases, the chatbots handle the early stages of conversation, generating fluent, emotionally engaging messages that mimic genuine romantic interest. Once a victim appears sufficiently attached, human operators — sometimes called "romance scammers" or "tea sellers" in underworld parlance — take over the correspondence. They then steer the conversation toward requests for money, citing emergencies such as medical crises, travel expenses to meet in person, or business setbacks requiring immediate funding.
Investigations by multiple media organisations and cybersecurity firms over the past year have traced these operations to organised groups, often based in countries with weak regulatory oversight. Some reports indicate that the same AI-generated scripts are reused across hundreds of fake profiles, while others suggest that sophisticated natural language models are fine-tuned to replicate regional accents, slang, and conversational patterns, making the scams harder to detect.
In India, where internet penetration and smartphone usage continue to surge, dating apps have become a common social tool. Authorities and cybercrime cells have begun receiving an uptick in complaints from individuals who lost significant savings after being deceived. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has warned citizens about the rising tide of such frauds and urged users to report incidents through the national helpline portal, 1930.
Experts advise users to remain cautious of profiles that seem unusually perfect, quickly express strong emotional attachment, or consistently avoid video calls and in-person meetings. Financial requests from anyone met solely through a dating platform should be treated as a major red flag. As AI technology becomes more accessible, cybersecurity professionals warn that these scams will only grow more convincing — making digital literacy and awareness critical defenses for everyday internet users.
