Victims of an online romance scam are being targeted by fraudsters using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate a prince from Dubai, according to multiple reports. In one described case, a woman believes she is in a romantic relationship with a Dubai royal after exchanging live video calls in which the supposed suitor expresses affection, flirts, and builds trust. Investigators say the images and interactions are generated or manipulated using AI rather than coming from a real person.
Across the accounts, the scam is presented as part of a broader “fake Dubai prince” fraud ecosystem. Fraudsters reportedly cultivate relationships over time to increase emotional investment, then ultimately seek money from victims as the relationship develops. Researchers cited in the reports say some versions of these scams are linked to organized crime syndicates, including groups based in Nigeria. The incidents highlight how deepfake technology can be used to imitate public figures or high-profile individuals and how social engineering techniques can be combined with synthetic media to defraud targets.
