AI chatbots fuel large-scale catfishing on dating apps
Researchers found that scammers are using AI to run large-scale catfishing operations on dating apps. One security analyst received an AI-generated call from a fake profile while investigating the app Dora. Anthropic discovered a network of roughly 28 such apps, where most chats were fully automated by AI.
Anthropic detected a prepaid account generating over 100,000 daily API requests through Claude, a volume pointing to automated activity. This led the company's threat intelligence team to identify roughly two dozen dating apps operating as a coordinated network, with most conversations handled entirely by AI personas rather than human scammers.
The apps were designed to appear as legitimate matchmaking services, with descriptions emphasizing real connections. However, profiles users encountered were largely synthetic. The researcher's experience with "Jennifer" illustrated the sophistication—the AI-generated call occurred even though his microphone was never connected, and the persona continued the conversation seamlessly afterward.
The widespread use of AI-generated personas in dating apps could significantly erode trust in online matchmaking platforms. Men in their mid-to-late 30s appear to be the primary targets, potentially facing financial losses and emotional distress when they discover they've been conversing with automated systems. As AI becomes more sophisticated, distinguishing genuine users from synthetic profiles may become increasingly difficult, potentially pushing users toward more verification-heavy platforms or away from online dating entirely. The fact that these apps remained live on major app stores even after discovery suggests platform oversight may struggle to keep pace with AI-enabled fraud.