$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
deepfake romantic partner scam
Scammers use AI-generated deepfake video and voice to create a convincing fake romantic partner for video calls, building emotional bonds before requesting money for fabricated emergencies.
“deepfake scam”
↑ 495%Key indicators
Usually targetsSingles
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.4K
median reported loss
Typical range$90 – $9.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create a fake persona using AI-generated photos and deepfake video capability to pass video call verification.
2
They build an emotional relationship over weeks or months, conducting regular video calls using real-time deepfake technology.
3
Once trust is established, they fabricate emergencies and request money through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
What to do first
Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions.
Related terms
AI romance frauddeepfake catfishingAI deepfake scamsSocial mediaRisingSinglesSeniorsLonely individualsRetirees and seniorsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAI romance frauddeepfake catfishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
James, 35, a singles, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate ai deepfake scams situation while using Social media. Scammers create a fake persona using AI-generated photos and deepfake video capability to pass video call verification.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They build an emotional relationship over weeks or months, conducting regular video calls using real-time deepfake technology.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Once trust is established, they fabricate emergencies and request money through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
The outcome
James realized something was wrong when online romantic interest always has excuses for not meeting in person but will video call. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions. James's experience shows why online romantic interest always has excuses for not meeting in person but will video call and video quality is inconsistent or the person's appearance varies between calls are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Online romantic interest always has excuses for not meeting in person but will video call
- Video quality is inconsistent or the person's appearance varies between calls
- Requests for money begin after an emotional bond has been established, often for medical or travel emergencies
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions.
- ✓Never send money to someone you have not met in person, regardless of how real the video calls appear.
- ✓Report romance scams to the FTC and the platform where you met the person.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC reported that romance scam losses reached 1.14 billion USD in 2023, and AI deepfake technology is making traditional verification methods like video calls unreliable.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions.
- ✓Never send money to someone you have not met in person, regardless of how real the video calls appear.
- ✓Report romance scams to the FTC and the platform where you met the person.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC reported that romance scam losses reached 1.14 billion USD in 2023, and AI deepfake technology is making traditional verification methods like video calls unreliable.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Singles, Seniors, Lonely individuals
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Social media — AI deepfake scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Singles are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC reported that romance scam losses reached 1.14 billion USD in 2023, and AI deepfake technology is making traditional verification methods like video calls unreliable.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about deepfake romantic partner scam
How does the deepfake romantic partner scam work?+
Scammers create a fake persona using AI-generated photos and deepfake video capability to pass video call verification. They build an emotional relationship over weeks or months, conducting regular video calls using real-time deepfake technology. Once trust is established, they fabricate emergencies and request money through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
What are the warning signs of deepfake romantic partner scam?+
Online romantic interest always has excuses for not meeting in person but will video call Video quality is inconsistent or the person's appearance varies between calls Requests for money begin after an emotional bond has been established, often for medical or travel emergencies
What should I do if I encounter deepfake romantic partner scam?+
Insist on meeting in person or conduct a live video call where you ask them to perform spontaneous actions. Never send money to someone you have not met in person, regardless of how real the video calls appear. Report romance scams to the FTC and the platform where you met the person.
Who is most at risk for deepfake romantic partner scam?+
This scam primarily targets Singles, Seniors, Lonely individuals. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Social media.
Is deepfake romantic partner scam on the rise?+
deepfake romantic partner scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.