A man in Shanghai has lost nearly $28,000 after being tricked into a long-distance relationship with an AI-generated girlfriend, Chinese state media reported on Wednesday.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, scammers used generative artificial intelligence software to create realistic videos and photos of a young woman, posing as a fictional character named “Ms. Jiao.”
The victim, identified as Mr. Liu, believed he was in a genuine relationship and sent nearly 200,000 yuan (around $28,000) to Ms. Jiao’s bank account.
The scammers convinced him that his online girlfriend needed money to open a business and help a relative with medical bills.
CCTV revealed that the scammers went as far as creating a fake ID and medical reports to support their claims.
“Throughout the process, Mr. Liu never met Ms. Jiao in person,” CCTV reported.
The police investigation showed that the scam was run by a team who used AI to produce videos and images or combined multiple images to create a convincing identity.
A CCTV video displayed various photos of a woman posing with a paint palette and standing on a city street — all fabricated using AI technology.
The rise of AI tools that can generate realistic text, images, and even live videos has led to more sophisticated scams globally.
Earlier this month, US social media company Meta warned people to be cautious of online contacts offering romance but requesting money, highlighting that AI-driven scams are becoming more common.
