AI romance scams are exploding on dating apps ahead of Valentine’s Day -- here’s how to avoid getting tricked
Valentine’s Day should be a time for love, but sadly, these days it is also an opportunity for digital tricksters to pull scams. Recent insights from McAfee shows that AI bots, celebrity impostors, and misleading dating apps are on the rise, complicating the quest for true love online.
Dating apps are super popular nowadays, with over 60 percent of folks using them or social media to find love. If you’re in the 18-24 demographic, you’re likely swiping through Tinder, Snapchat, or TikTok in search of a connection. But be warned, scammers are using AI to spin convincing tales of romance.
Scarlett Johansson tops McAfee 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist
McAfee has released its “2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist,” highlighting the celebrities whose names are most exploited by cybercriminals. Leading this year’s list is Scarlett Johansson, an actress best known for her role as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Johansson’s popularity makes her a prime target for hackers, who use her name to trick unsuspecting users into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful files.
McAfee’s report warns that searches involving popular celebrities like Johansson often lead consumers to unsafe sites. These sites can install malware or collect personal data, compromising users’ privacy, data, and identity. The rise of AI has made it easier to create convincing deepfakes, adding another layer of complexity to these scams. These AI-generated images, audio, and videos can be used to deceive fans into engaging with fraudulent content, damaging not only the victim’s finances but also the celebrity’s reputation.