A shocking case of an AI-powered romance scam has come to light, where an 80-year-old woman's mother from England lost approximately $67,000 (around 274,861,596 Frw) to scammers who used artificial intelligence to deceive her. The scammers, who contacted the woman on Facebook, used a sophisticated method involving AI-generated photos and videos to gain her trust. They pretended to be a man who had fallen in love with her and was hospitalized in Shanghai, China.
The woman, whose name has not been disclosed, was led to believe that the man she was communicating with was genuine and that they would eventually meet. Over time, the scammers continued to request money from her, claiming that the man needed funds for medical treatment and other expenses. In total, the woman sent around 140,000 pounds (approximately 274,861,596 Frw) to the scammers. Her daughter, Helen, became suspicious when her mother's behavior changed, and she began to investigate.
Helen noticed that her mother was receiving mysterious messages and making frequent phone calls and video chats. Although her mother was hesitant to discuss the matter, Helen's concerns grew, and she decided to take action. She discovered that the scammers were using a technique called "deepfake" to create fake photos and videos that appeared to be genuine. This technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it difficult for people to distinguish between real and fake content.
According to experts, romance scams are on the rise in the UK, with losses exceeding 1.3 billion pounds in 2025. Shari Vahl, a journalist with BBC Radio 4, has investigated these scams and notes that there are warning signs that can indicate someone is being targeted. These signs include changes in behavior, secrecy, and unusual financial transactions, such as frequent bank visits or purchases of gift cards.
To protect loved ones from these scams, experts recommend being vigilant and monitoring their behavior. If you suspect that someone is being scammed, it's essential to approach the situation with care and not to accuse them directly. Instead, try to have an open and honest conversation with them, and encourage them to seek help. In some cases, it may be necessary to involve the bank or other authorities to prevent further financial losses.
In this case, Helen was able to intervene and prevent further losses by contacting her mother's bank and obtaining a "lasting power of attorney" that allowed her to manage her mother's finances. The bank was able to refund 45,000 pounds to Helen's mother, and experts recommend that people take steps to protect their loved ones, such as changing phone numbers and email addresses, and limiting access to financial information.
Experts advise that if you suspect a loved one is being scammed, you should take the following steps: ask questions carefully, talk to the bank, seek help from a neutral third party, and change the person's online presence to prevent further contact with the scammers. By being aware of these scams and taking proactive steps, people can protect themselves and their loved ones from financial losses.
