A man in Shanghai has lost nearly $28,000 after falling victim to a scam involving an AI-generated "girlfriend", according to Chinese state media reports on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as Mr Liu, transferred nearly 200,000 yuan (approximately $28,000) to what he believed was the bank account of his online lover.
The scammers used generative artificial intelligence software to create realistic videos and images of a fictional woman, "Ms Jiao", to convince him that she needed the funds for opening a business and assisting a relative with medical bills.
The fraudsters even went so far as to create fake identification documents and medical reports to further support their deception, reports said.
CCTV, citing a police investigation, confirmed that the scam was carried out by a team of perpetrators who sent AI-generated videos and photos to the victim.
Throughout the entire process, Mr Liu never met Ms Jiao in person. CCTV broadcasted images of a woman depicted in various scenarios, including holding a paint palette and standing on a city street, all of which were AI-generated.
This incident highlights the growing sophistication of scams using AI tools to create convincing images, videos, and even live interactions.
The rise of generative AI has raised concerns about an increase in online frauds worldwide.
Earlier this month, Meta, the US-based social media giant, warned internet users to be cautious of online relationships that promise romance but request money, particularly as scams involving generative AI are becoming more common.
