Meta Platforms is warning users to stay vigilant about romance scams ahead of Valentine’s Day. The social media giant claims scammers pose as attractive singles with fake photos and backgrounds, often using artificial intelligence to create convincing profiles. These scammers initially send unsolicited messages to a large pool of people before building trust and asking for money under various excuses.
Recent research revealed three common categories of romance scams: military impersonators, celebrity mimics, and fake match-making agencies targeting Africa. To combat these scams, Meta is testing facial recognition technology that can compare suspicious profile photos with public figures’ images. However, this feature only works for celebrity impersonations.
To avoid falling victim to romance scams, users are advised to be suspicious of messages from strangers. If you engage, verify the person’s identity by checking their account creation date or using a reverse image search on their photos. Be cautious of requests for money in gift cards or payment apps, and never send cash under any circumstances.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/facebook-meta-romance-scams-3700bcc55473b410d0026c01c8c07138