AI Love Bots Are Targeting You – Here’s How to Recognise the Scams Before It’s Too Late

Published on February 23, 2026

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Image generated with Ai

In 2025, Americans fell victim to online romance scams at an alarming rate, losing a staggering $1.3 billion to fraudulent schemes. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the use of AI-generated profiles and automated messages designed to lure in people searching for love. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the profiles used in these scams have evolved from the crude bots of the past into hyper-realistic, data-driven simulations that target your specific preferences. What feels like chemistry can, in reality, be a well-orchestrated scam designed to exploit emotions and steal money.

A recent analysis of over 1,500 flagged profiles by BranditScan revealed just how far these scammers are going. Today’s AI romance scams aren’t immediately obvious to the average person. They don’t feature broken English or blurry photos anymore. Instead, they are designed to look just like a real person, using your interests and language to create the illusion of a deep, meaningful connection. But by the time a scammer asks for money or personal data, you’ve already invested emotionally. So, how can you protect yourself from becoming a victim of these AI-driven scams?

The New Face of Romance Scams: Hyper-Realistic AI Profiles

Gone are the days of recognizing suspicious bots with odd grammar and blurry photos. Today’s AI profiles are designed to mirror your preferences, creating an experience that feels incredibly authentic. According to BranditScan’s analysis, AI-generated faces are now highly sophisticated. They mirror your interests, speak your language, and respond within seconds, making it easy to mistake a bot for a real person. The issue? These profiles are often designed to elicit strong emotional reactions before they ask for anything, making the scam even harder to detect.

The real danger here is how well these AI-generated profiles mimic real human interactions. Victims may not even realise they are communicating with a machine until it’s too late. The instant responses, perfect pictures, and tailored conversations often make it impossible for people to recognise the scam until they are already emotionally invested.

Spot the Red Flags: How to Tell if You’re Talking to an AI

While AI profiles are becoming nearly impossible to differentiate from real people, there are still a few red flags that can help you identify a scam. BranditScan’s analysis of over 1,500 flagged profiles provides valuable insights on what to watch out for. Here are some of the key warning signs to look for:

1. Something’s Off in Their Eyes

Even though AI has made significant strides in replicating the human face, there are still subtle clues that betray the technology behind the image. According to research, 94% of AI-generated faces contain inconsistent light reflections, particularly in the eyes. In real photos, both eyes should reflect the same light source, such as a window or phone screen. However, in AI-generated images, the reflections are often mismatched, making the eyes appear unnatural.

What to Look For: Zoom in on the pupils. If one eye reflects a clear object while the other shows a distorted light source, there’s a high chance that the image is AI-generated.

2. Their Wi-Fi “Keeps Glitching”

Among the fraud cases reviewed, 40% involved deepfake video calls, where scammers used real-time face-swap filters to appear as someone else. Despite subtle glitches—such as lighting changes or face blurring—many victims were convinced by the fake video calls.

What to Look For: During a video call, ask the person to turn their head fully to the side or wave their hand in front of their face. If their face blurs, flickers, or the hand “clips” through their cheek, end the call immediately.

3. They’re Falling for You Too Quickly

AI scams often involve love-bombing, where the intensity of the relationship is ramped up far too quickly. AI systems are designed to maximise engagement, making emotional connections faster and more intense than a real person would. Conversations can shift from “strangers” to “soulmates” in a matter of just 100 messages.

What to Look For: If a simple boundary like “I can’t talk tonight” triggers an instant guilt trip, this could be a scripted response. Real people take time to open up, while bots respond quickly and flawlessly.

4. The Messages Are Perfectly Crafted

AI systems have perfected the art of crafting polished, emotionally charged messages. When someone’s responses feel too perfect—too polished and too fast—it could be a sign that you’re communicating with a bot, not a human.

What to Look For: Pay attention to how the person responds to simple requests. A human will hesitate or take time to think, but AI can generate perfect responses instantly, often in paragraphs that feel like they’ve been carefully scripted.

The Bottom Line: Perfection Is the New Red Flag

As AI becomes more advanced, scammers are increasingly using it to manipulate their targets. In 2026, the most dangerous red flag isn’t bad grammar or blurry photos; it’s perfection. If the profile looks flawless, the replies are instant, and the connection feels too good to be true, then chances are you’re not talking to a real person.

What to Know: Many people think they’re looking for obvious warning signs, like awkward sentences or poor-quality images. However, today’s red flags are far more subtle. What seems like fate can easily turn into a 6-figure loss if you fall for the scam.

How to Protect Yourself from AI Romance Scams

While AI technology has come a long way, there are still ways to protect yourself from falling victim to online romance scams. Here’s how you can safeguard your personal information and avoid becoming a target:

1. Question Everything: If something feels off, trust your instincts. Look for subtle inconsistencies in photos or video calls.
2. Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Never share sensitive details like financial information or passwords with anyone you meet online.
3. Be Patient: Real relationships take time to develop. If someone is rushing you or making you feel guilty, they may have ulterior motives.
4. Use Reputable Platforms: Stick to verified dating sites that use AI detection tools to flag suspicious profiles.
5. Report Suspicious Accounts: If you suspect you’re dealing with a scammer, report the profile to the platform or service immediately.

By staying vigilant and cautious, you can protect yourself from the dangers of AI-driven romance scams and keep your heart—and wallet—safe.