AI-powered romance schemes on the rise

(NEWS10) -- It's only a few days until Valentine's Day, and federal investigators have issued a new warning to those looking for love. Scammers are turning to dating websites and apps to target vulnerable people, and they're using new AI technology to do it.

According to fraud investigators, scammers are creating fake profiles with AI by generating fake images, videos, and voices. Experts said that once they have a victim hooked, they will ask you to send money for an emergency they've had, for travel expenses, or to invest for you.

"They are going to want you to either cash out them the money or Venmo them or one of the money moving platforms, or they're going to want you to wire the money, or they want you to take the cash out or the money out of the bank and take it to Bitcoin cash machines, all of those," Tina Martin, head of Berkshire Bank's Security and Fraud Investigations Unit, said.

To protect yourself, experts said to look out for potential red flags like not being able to meet in-person. According to recent FTC data, reported losses from romance scams total more than $1 billion a year.