Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Chinese Woman Used AI Persona in $25,000 Dating Scam
A woman in China pretended to be a much younger doctor on the internet.
She used artificial intelligence to change her face in pictures and videos.
A businessman believed the online person was real and hoped she could help him get construction work.
He also began a romantic relationship with the fake identity.
The woman later pretended to be the doctor’s strict mother.
She told him to send money and buy an apartment before meeting her.
He transferred 170,000 yuan but never received business contracts or met the supposed doctor.
He then went to the police, who found that the account belonged to a 65-year-old cleaner.
The woman spent the money on cosmetic surgery, skincare, and clothes.
A 65-year-old hospital cleaner allegedly posed online as a 29-year-old doctor using AI-generated images and videos.
She built a following of about 10,000 people through roughly 7,000 posts over five years.
A Shanghai property contractor pursued a relationship after believing she could help him secure construction contracts.
The man transferred 170,000 yuan over five months after being told to pay a bride price and buy an apartment.
Police identified the woman after the contractor reported receiving no business opportunities; she had previously been convicted of fraud.
- Who
- A 65-year-old woman identified as Yu Xiuzhen and a Shanghai property contractor identified as Liu Hui.
- What
- Yu allegedly used AI-generated content and fake identities to obtain 170,000 yuan from Liu.
- When
- Liu encountered the online profile in 2021 and transferred money over five months; the report does not give the investigation date.
- Where
- The people involved were in China, with Liu identified as a Shanghai resident and the supposed doctor linked to a Shanghai hospital.
- Why
- Liu hoped to obtain construction contracts and believed the online persona was a young doctor with influence over such deals.
Authorities’ Findings
Victim’s Experience
Nature of the online identity
Authorities’ Findings
Police found that the account was operated by Yu, who was actually a 65-year-old cleaner and used digital face-swapping software.
Victim’s Experience
Liu believed he was communicating with a 29-year-old doctor because of the account’s photos, videos, and claimed hospital position.
Reason for sending money
Authorities’ Findings
Investigators’ findings indicate that Yu used romantic and family-related claims, including a supposed mother persona, to demand money.
Victim’s Experience
Liu reportedly sent money while pursuing both a relationship and the possibility of obtaining construction contracts through the supposed doctor.
AI warning
Authorities’ Findings
Police noticed small disclaimers on the videos stating that they contained AI-generated content.
Victim’s Experience
Liu said he missed the warnings because he was unfamiliar with modern AI tools.
- Suspect
- Yu Xiuzhen, a 65-year-old hospital cleaner
- Victim
- Liu Hui, a Shanghai property contractor
- Amount transferred
- 170,000 yuan, reported as about $25,000
- Fake identity
- A 29-year-old doctor at a top Shanghai hospital
- Online activity
- About 7,000 AI-generated videos and photos over five years
- Audience
- Approximately 10,000 followers
- Additional demands
- A 300,000-yuan bride price and a local apartment