A man in Shanghai lost more than $ 27,000 after being cheated in an online relationship with a fictitious girlfriend generated by artificial intelligenceA Chinese state media reported on Wednesday.
The scammers used a generative AI program to create realistic videos and photos of an imaginary young woman, according to public television CCTV.
The victim transferred about 200,000 yuan (around $ 27,580) to what he thought was the bank account of his girlfriend.
The criminals used false videos and photos to convince him that she needed funds to open a business and help a relative to pay medical expenses.
They even created medical reports and a fictitious identity card to give credibility to their scheme.
The operation was carried out for a “team of scammers who sent videos and photos created by AI or combining several images”CCTV said, citing a police investigation.
The victim “never met her alleged girlfriend, highlighted the channel.
A video transmitted by CCTV shows photos of a woman in different situations, such as posing with a paint or on a street in a city.
The appearance of artificial intelligence tools capable of generating convincing images, videos and texts is giving rise to increasingly sophisticated scams.
Earlier this month, the American social media giant Meta urged Internet users to distrust online relationships, noting that frauds that generative use are increasing.