Elderly woman loses Rs 1.7 crore in romance scam involving fake AI boyfriend

An organised gang of online fraudsters has duped an elderly woman out of Rs 1.7 crore through an elaborate romance scam. The perpetrators used artificial intelligence technology to create a convincing fake boyfriend persona, which they leveraged to establish an emotional connection with the victim before extracting money.

The scam operated by first building trust with the unsuspecting woman through romantic overtures and sustained communication. Once the victim was emotionally invested in the relationship, the fraudsters escalated their demands, requesting funds under various pretexts. The victim, believing she was sending money to her romantic partner, complied with the requests over an extended period.

This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud networks operating across South Asia, which increasingly employ artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation tactics to target vulnerable individuals. Romance scams have emerged as one of the most effective tools used by criminal gangs to extract large sums from victims, particularly elderly women who may be socially isolated or emotionally vulnerable.

Authorities have intensified their focus on combating online fraud networks that operate across state and national borders. Investigators are tracking the cryptocurrency trails and digital footprints left by the fraudsters in an attempt to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Cybersecurity experts continue to advise the public to exercise caution when engaging in online relationships and to verify identities through multiple channels before engaging in financial transactions.