BOQ urges Australians to stay alert to AI-powered romance scams
10 February 2026
With Valentine’s Day approaching, Bank of Queensland (BOQ) is warning Australians to stay vigilant as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence, deepfake videos and sophisticated online grooming techniques to conduct romance and investment baiting scams.
These scams are becoming more emotionally manipulative, more personalised, and far harder for victims to detect — with financial and psychological impacts that can last long after the money is gone.
According to Scamwatch, romance scams continue to cost Australians millions each year, with scammers now using AI generated profiles, flawless images, and chatbot assisted conversations to lure victims into false relationships before requesting money, cryptocurrency transfers or personal information.
BOQ’s Head of Fraud Risk Management, Claire Shaw said Australians should be especially cautious as scammers exploit the heightened emotions around Valentine’s Day.
“These scams are becoming more sophisticated, with artificially generated fake profiles, deepfake videos and chatbots making fake love look completely real,” she said.
“Scammers prey on trust. They build closeness quickly, often pushing victims off dating apps and onto private messaging platforms, then use emotional stories or false emergencies to pressure them into sending money. If something feels too good to be true — it probably is.”
BOQ urges customers to watch out for the following red flags:
- Flawless photos or profiles with minimal personal details — often evidence of AI generated imagery.
- Rapid emotional intensity, “love bombing”, or efforts to move chats to private encrypted apps.
- Urgent requests for money, often linked to medical bills, travel, or emergency situations.
- Attempts to coach victims on what to tell their bank or how to disguise payments — a strong indicator of grooming into money muling behaviour.
BOQ continues to strengthen protections through initiatives such as Confirmation of Payee, real-time detection systems, and customer alerts, helping people verify account details and spot unusual behaviour before money is lost.
“Our message is simple: never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, never share personal or financial information, and always take a moment to stop, check, and protect before transferring funds,” added Shaw.
What to do if you suspect a romance scam:
- Stop all contact immediately
- Do not send money or personal information
- Contact your bank straight away
- Report the scam to Scamwatch
BOQ encourages Australians to share scam prevention advice with friends and family, particularly older Australians who continue to suffer some of the highest individual losses.
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