Valentine’s Day is meant to be a celebration of love and connection, but in the digital age, it has also become a season of online deception. New research by McAfee India has revealed a worrying rise in AI-driven romance scams, fake dating apps, and deepfake profiles that blur the line between genuine affection and digital fraud.
The study found that more than half of people believe they could be tricked by an AI chatbot pretending to be a real person. Many admitted that either they or someone they know has already encountered such fake profiles on dating apps or social media. Experts say emotional vulnerability plays a big role, once people form emotional attachments online, they become easier targets for manipulation and financial scams.
For many Indians, the search for love often begins on social media rather than dating apps. Instagram is the most popular platform for online connections, followed by WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. Among dedicated dating apps, Tinder remains the top choice, with Facebook Dating, Bumble, and Match not far behind.
But not every online connection ends in romance. A 25-year-old programmer thought she had met someone special online. After weeks of daily conversations, her online partner claimed to have missed his flight to meet her and asked for money to book another one. Trusting him, she sent the money, only to have him vanish. Later, she learned that the person she had fallen for never existed; his photos were AI-generated, his accounts deleted, and his identity entirely fabricated.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. With AI tools, scammers can create realistic conversations, images, and even voices, making it difficult to tell real people from computer-generated ones. McAfee’s Chief Technology Officer, Steve Grobman, explained that cybercriminals now use AI to make scams more convincing and widespread, especially around times like Valentine’s Day when more people are seeking connection online.
Reports also show that many victims feel pressured to send gifts or money, often under emotional manipulation. Some scammers even impersonate celebrities, with nearly half of those targeted losing money or personal information.
In a world where technology can imitate love so well, experts urge people to stay cautious. Take a moment before sharing personal details, sending money, or trusting an online relationship that feels too perfect. Real love takes time to grow and no genuine connection should come with a price tag.
