AI Romance Bot Scams
AI chatbots that simulate a romantic partner at scale to groom victims toward payments.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
AI romance bot scams use conversational AI to run many 'relationships' at once, simulating an attentive partner to build emotional dependence before steering victims toward gifts, subscriptions, or investment fraud.
How it works
On dating apps or social media, an AI-driven profile chats convincingly around the clock. It maintains intimacy at scale, then introduces requests — premium chat, gifts, or a 'trading' opportunity — escalating once a bond forms.
Common red flags
- A partner who is always instantly available and oddly consistent
- Deflects video calls or real-time verification
- Steers toward paid content, gifts, or investments
- Generic responses that dodge specifics
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I think about you constantly. Could you help me with a small gift card so we can keep talking?
Payment methods used
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Subscriptions
- Bank transfer
Who is usually targeted
- People seeking connection
- Lonely or isolated individuals
What to do immediately
- Request a spontaneous live video call to test authenticity
- Don't send money, gifts, or invest based on online romance
- Talk to someone you trust; report and block
Evidence to preserve
- Profile and chat logs
- Any payment requests
- Screenshots
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if I'm talking to an AI bot?
Bots often dodge live video, give generic answers, and are unusually available. A spontaneous video call and specific, context-dependent questions can expose them — but never send money regardless.