A man in Shanghai, China, was left 200,000 yuan (approximately RM120,000) out of pocket after discovering that his long-distance “girlfriend” was nothing more than an artificial intelligence (AI) creation.
Photo via CCTV News
Liu, the victim, unknowingly fell for an AI-generated persona, “Ms. Jiao,” created by a scam syndicate using advanced software to produce highly realistic images and videos of young women. According to CCTV News, what seemed like a blossoming romance turned into a costly deception.
As their online relationship developed, “Ms. Jiao” began asking Liu for money, citing reasons such as business investments and medical expenses for a family member. To appear credible, she even provided an identity card, along with supposed medical records and purchase receipts for her business. Convinced of her authenticity, Liu continued sending funds.
Photo via CCTV News
However, doubts eventually crept in, prompting Liu to report the situation to the police. Investigations confirmed his worst fears—he had fallen victim to a sophisticated AI scam. Authorities also recovered images depicting “Ms. Jiao” leading an everyday life, reinforcing the illusion that she was a real person.
As AI technology continues to evolve, scams like these are becoming more advanced, serving as a stark reminder to remain cautious when forming relationships online.
