“AI has raised the stakes in romance scams."
More than half of Gen Z singletons are prioritising meeting partners in person as romance scams grow increasingly sophisticated, according to new data from Barclays.
The shift comes as concerns mount over artificial intelligence being used to deceive online daters.
Barclays claim data reveals that seven in 10 romance scam reports in 2025 originated on dating sites and social media platforms.
At the same time, two-thirds of UK adults believe AI is making such scams harder to detect.
The findings highlight growing unease about how rapidly evolving technology is reshaping online dating risks.
One in five UK adults has either been targeted by a romance scam or knows someone who has. Of those personally targeted, 40% lost money.
Barclays’ proprietary data shows that victims lost £7,000 on average in 2025.
The research suggests that romance scams are rarely quick operations.
Victims reported communicating with scammers for seven months on average before being asked for money.
Concerns about artificial intelligence are also widespread. Four in five respondents said AI is making scams harder to spot, while 66% believe it is making romance scams specifically more convincing.
Two-fifths said they would not feel confident identifying voice cloning technology or fake images and videos. These tools are often used to “catfish” victims or conceal identities.
More than half of respondents are worried about their own voice or image being impersonated, rising to 62% among Gen Z.
The anxiety is influencing dating habits. Nearly half of Gen Z singles said concerns about AI-enabled scams have changed how they approach online dating. That compares with a national average of 25%.
Overall, 39% of adults are now more reluctant to date online because of advances in AI.
In contrast, 56% of Gen Z singles said they are concentrating on meeting partners face to face, significantly higher than the 42% cross-generational average.
The data points to a generational recalibration rather than a wholesale rejection of digital platforms. However, the direction of travel suggests that younger daters are responding directly to perceived technological threats.
Public appetite for stronger intervention is also clear. Eighty-four per cent of UK adults believe technology companies should do more to prevent scams on their platforms.
With 67% of reported cases originating on dating and social media sites, many want structural safeguards.
Thirty-eight per cent would like platforms to introduce warnings if a match asks for money. A further 30% support clearer labels identifying AI-generated content.
The emotional drivers behind these scams remain consistent.
Among those who lost money, 24% said they were feeling lonely when first contacted. Twenty-one per cent felt pressured because the scammer created a sense of urgency.
The same proportion said the fraudster shared personal stories and photos to build a false sense of trust. These tactics, combined with increasingly convincing AI tools, are creating a complex threat landscape.
Kirsty Adams, Fraud & Scams Expert at Barclays, says: “AI has raised the stakes in romance scams.
“People are finding it increasingly difficult to tell real from fake, and many now fear having their own voice or face ‘cloned’ by romance scammers.
“Gen Z daters are changing tack and focusing on meeting someone in-person, in a return to the ‘old school’ approach.
“If you do choose to date online, my advice is keep an eye out for red flags, and never send money to someone you have not met. If anything feels off, stop, speak to someone you trust, and report it.”
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