With more relationships beginning online, authorities are urging greater vigilance against fraudsters who exploit emotions for financial gain.
Poland’s minister of digital affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, highlighted the risks of online dating, noting that social media and dating apps allow users to create misleading profiles that can deceive others.
"Although there’s nothing wrong with meeting people online, it’s much easier to fabricate an attractive persona, gaining trust that can lead to trouble," he said.
Cybersecurity experts warn that romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fraudsters often build trust before asking for money, encouraging victims to invest in fraudulent schemes or send financial aid under false pretenses.
One common ploy involves scammers posing as noble yet unfortunate individuals — such as a soldier in distress, a war nurse, or a struggling volunteer — who quickly declare their love before requesting urgent financial assistance.
Another method, known as 'sextortion,' involves coercing victims into sharing intimate photos or videos, which are later used for blackmail.
Additionally, emerging technologies such as deepfake images and videos are being used to fabricate compromising material, which scammers can then use for extortion.
Digital scams, often aided by fake images created using AI technology, are a rapidly expanding global problem, costing their victims many tens of millions of dollars per year.
In one recent high-profile case, a French woman was scammed of some USD 850,000 by robbers using fake photographs of actor Brad Pitt.
Authorities caution that anyone can fall victim to such schemes, regardless of age or experience. A psychological phenomenon known as "optimism bias" makes individuals believe they are less likely to be targeted, leading them to ignore warning signs.
The ministry is encouraging victims and concerned individuals to report incidents through the government’s mObywatel app. The Safe Online service within the app allows users to flag fraudulent websites, phishing attempts and illegal content.
Reports are analyzed by cybersecurity specialists at CERT Polska and Dyżurnet.pl, who take steps to block harmful content and improve online safety.
The government also provides an online knowledge base with expert-backed cybersecurity tips. Users can subscribe to push notifications alerting them to emerging digital threats.
As online dating continues to grow in popularity, officials stress that awareness is the best defense.
More information on how to stay safe when searching for love online can be found on the National Research Institute NASK website.
(rt/gs)
Source: pap-mediaroom.pl