Science & Tech · AI · 20 hrs ago
AI-generated social media profiles raise fears of romance scams
Social media accounts using AI-generated photos and detailed personal stories are appearing in South Korea.
Some present themselves as women with specific jobs and life experiences, including divorce or illness.
Users have responded as if the profiles belong to real people, posting details such as their age, location, job and selfies.
Experts warn that scammers could use fake identities to build trust and then ask for money.
The concern is part of a wider rise in increasingly sophisticated online fraud.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service advises people to report suspected romance scams or investment fraud to the authorities or its investment fraud reporting center.
It also urges people to be wary of investment offers through social media and online chat groups, and not to transfer large sums to unverified cryptocurrency exchanges.
AI-generated female profiles on social media are raising fears that they could be used to build trust and carry out romance scams.
Some accounts present detailed personal stories, including claims of being a nurse, recovering from cancer surgery or starting over after divorce.
Users have shared personal details and selfies in comments and asked to meet or receive direct messages.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service urged people to report suspected romance scams or cryptocurrency investment fraud.
- Who
- Social media users and the Financial Supervisory Service in South Korea.
- What
- AI-generated profiles have prompted concern that they could be used for romance scams.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026; it says online community posts raised the issue on October 10.
- Where
- Social media and online communities in South Korea.
- Why
- Fake profiles could build personal trust before asking victims for money.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Online investment groups and investment offers through social media should be treated with suspicion, and especially for currently popular coin investments, never transfer large sums to unverified private exchanges.
Online community posts warned that many users were sharing personal information after believing AI-generated profiles were real people.
Maeil Business published its report on concerns about AI-generated profiles being used for romance scams.
- Example profile
- Claimed to be a 41-year-old nurse working three shifts in Pohang
- User responses
- Some shared their age, location, occupation and selfies
- Reporting advice
- The Financial Supervisory Service urged people to contact investigative authorities or use its investment fraud reporting centre
Sources
Related news
Nadella says advanced AI needs human-controlled emergency brake
Anthropic AI submits false murder tip to Philadelphia police
Anthropic bars repeated cruelty toward its AI models
OpenAI fires three safety researchers after dispute over sensitive information
Gemini in Chrome can summarize pages and compare information across tabs
Major tech figures adopt Trump’s preferred term for AI
Nikon disqualifies AI-assisted microscope video and names a new winner
Microsoft adds security tools and local AI features for Windows
Acemoglu says AI could triple unemployment within a decade
UK privacy watchdog secures data protection commitments from 10 AI companies
Anthropic cuts internet access for all internal AI evaluations
