PNP warns public vs AI love scams

February 4, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — As Valentine’s Day draws near, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up efforts to combat the rising threat of artificial intelligence-assisted love scams.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said yesterday that the Anti-Cybercrime Group has strengthened its capabilities to counter scammers using increasingly sophisticated AI tools to target the public.

“AI scams are evolving so we really need to step up in terms of improving the investigation skills and operational capability of our personnel,” he said in a statement.

Police cyber patrollers are undergoing training not only in AI detection but also in deepfake analysis and digital forensics to deter emerging forms of love scams.

Nartatez is also pushing for upgrades to cybercrime equipment and investigative tools, while intensifying coordination with other government agencies and civil society groups to enable faster information sharing and the takedown of scam operations.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) also warned the public about the dangers of AI-driven love scams targeting people seeking romantic relationships.

These schemes prey on emotional vulnerability rather than a lack of awareness. Common targets include individuals seeking foreign partners, women being pressured to marry, men dealing with rejection, financially secure professionals and solo parents.

“We are monitoring this closely, and when it comes to their profiles, nothing much has really changed. What has changed is their use of AI in committing these love scams. Deepfakes are now widespread and are being used to commit these love scams,” CICC executive director Renato Paraiso said in Filipino.

Scammers use AI to create false identities and sustain emotional manipulation, making their operations more coordinated and believable before eventually shifting to financial exploitation.

“Before, one of the things we told people to do was to FaceTime or video call the person to make sure they were real and not fake. Now, AI can already make it appear real – even if the face and voice you see are not actually the person you are talking to,” Paraiso added.

With all these new tactics in play, authorities urged the public to be cautious of anyone online, especially when money is involved.

“Think before you click, verify before you trust and never send money or personal information to someone you have not personally met,” said Nartatez.

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