Dating app scams are on the rise as Valentine’s Day approaches, McAfee shares 5 important steps to stay safe

Valentine's Day is approaching, and many people are using dating apps to find their perfect match before the big day. However, it's important to be aware that not everyone you meet on these apps is genuine. In fact, scams on dating apps have increased significantly. People are now using AI to manipulate their images and deceive others. According to a study by McAfee, a cybersecurity platform, over 90 per cent of Indians have encountered fake profiles on dating apps.

A recent study by McAfee, a company that helps protect people online, looked into how artificial intelligence (AI) tools are affecting online dating and leading to more scams. Here's what they found:

The study surveyed 7,000 people from seven different countries, including India. It revealed that many people have come across fake profiles or pictures on dating websites or social media. Nearly 98 per cent of Indians said they've seen these fake profiles, and 39 per cent said they've ended up talking to scammers pretending to be potential love interests.

What makes this problem worse is that some scammers are now using AI tools to create convincing messages and pictures. This makes it harder for people to tell if someone is real or not when they're looking for love online.

Interestingly, the study found that many Indians have used AI tools themselves when dating online. About 65 per cent said they have used AI to create pictures or other content for their dating profiles. Additionally, more than half are thinking about using AI to write messages to their love interests for Valentine's Day, as it makes them feel more confident. However, most people said they would be upset if they found out that a message from their Valentine was actually written by a machine.

Despite some mixed feelings about AI, many people have found it helpful. In fact, 81% said they've received more interest from others when using AI-generated content compared to their own.
But it's not just online dating that's affected by AI. McAfee also warned about an increase in scams related to Valentine's Day. They've noticed more malware campaigns, malicious URLs, and spam emails targeting people shopping for Valentine's gifts. McAfee advises people to be careful online and to use tools like McAfee Scam Protection to stay safe.

To protect yourself from online romance and AI scams, McAfee suggests a few steps:

–Be cautious of messages from people you haven't met in person, especially if they seem too generic or lacking in substance.
–Do a reverse-image search of profile pictures to check if they're real.
–Don't send money or gifts to someone you haven't met in person.
–Talk to someone you trust about your new love interest and pay attention if they raise any concerns.
–Use tools like McAfee Scam Protection to detect and protect yourself from online scams.

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams while looking for love or shopping online.