Man in China Loses $27,500 in AI-Generated Romance Scam

Shanghai – A man in Shanghai, China, lost nearly 200,000 yuan (approximately $27,568) after being deceived into a long-distance relationship with a girlfriend who was entirely created by artificial intelligence (AI). The fictional character was introduced as a woman named Jiao.

According to The Star on Wednesday (February 26, 2025), scammers used generative AI software to produce highly realistic images and videos of a young woman, making the fake persona of Jiao seem authentic.

Believing Jiao to be real, the victim transferred nearly 200,000 yuan to what he thought was his online girlfriend’s bank account. The scammers convinced him by using fake images and fabricated reasons, such as financial support for opening a business and covering medical bills for a relative.

To strengthen their deception, the fraudsters also created fake identification documents and medical reports. According to Chinese media outlet CCTV, the scheme was orchestrated by a group of scammers who used AI-generated videos and images, often merging multiple pictures to enhance realism.

"Throughout their relationship, Mr. Liu never met Miss Jiao in person," CCTV reported, citing police sources.

A circulating video shows images of a woman in different settings, such as posing with a paint palette and standing on a city street. The rise of AI technology capable of generating text, images, and videos has contributed to an increasing number of sophisticated scams worldwide.

Earlier in February, U.S. social media giant Meta warned internet users to be cautious of online acquaintances who promise romance but seek financial support. Meta also highlighted that AI-driven scams are on the rise, making fraud attempts more convincing than ever.

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