Taguig city: Civil and government data security executives on Monday warned the public against scammers who take advantage of people who seek romantic partners using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered love scams. In a press conference at the Scam Watch Pilipinas (PH) headquarters in Taguig City, Scam Watch PH co-founder Jocel de Guzman said these love scams often target individuals who fit into five profiles.
According to Philippines News Agency, the event, dubbed 'Unmatch PH 2026: Umiwas sa AI, AI, AI Feb-ibig (avoid AI love),' launched the latest national anti-love scam awareness campaign by Scam Watch PH and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC). CICC Acting Executive Director Aboy Paraiso warned that scammers have significantly escalated the scale and sophistication of love scams using AI to use love scam actors to manipulate victims emotionally before shifting to financial exploitation.
Common love scams have been identified, with six prevalent scammer profiles operating in the Philippines. One of the most common is the 'Sad Boi, Sad Gurl' archetype, who shares tragic personal stories to gain sympathy before gradually asking for money. Another profile, the 'Seducer,' uses attractive photos to attract targets, steers conversations toward sexual topics, overshares personal details, and may ask for nude photos that can be used for blackmail.
Meanwhile, the 'Investor' is often an appealing foreigner with a profile suggesting a glamorous lifestyle and responds to messages in a scripted manner. This scam archetype eventually draws victims into investing in fake forex or cryptocurrency schemes. Another common profile is the 'Serviceman,' who claims to be a middle-aged foreign military officer stationed in Asia or the Middle East, expresses interest in a romantic partner, typically targets older women, and later asks for financial assistance.
The 'Escort' scam archetype presents as a highly attractive and sexually open individual who sends explicit photos and asks for money before any in-person meeting. Lastly, the 'Slow Burn' is a scam actor who builds trust gradually through seemingly harmless conversations and personal stories, avoids meeting face-to-face, and later manipulates victims into sending money.
The love scam awareness campaign UnmatchPH was launched by Scam Watch PH and CICC in 2024 and has since evolved into an annual campaign against love scams. To report suspicious activities or any cybercrime-related incidents, the public may reach out through the National Anti-Scam Hotline 1326.
