Risk of AI scams is placing Gen Z off on-line relationship, financial institution claims

On Mar 10, 2026

Have you been duped by an AI scam? Email [email protected]

Updated: 09:55, 10 March 2026

Fears of falling for an artificial intelligence-enabled scam are turning young people off dating apps, a major bank has warned.

Barclays said Generation Z customers were worried about clever deepfakes – video clips made or altered using AI.

Tricksters can use deepfakes to create videos of a handsome suitor to make a victim believe they are falling love – before asking them to hand over money for an ‘emergency’ or something similar.

Almost half of adults in this age bracket – those born between 1997 and 2012 – said worries over AI scams had changed how they date online, with 56 per cent focusing on meeting a partner in real life instead of on dating apps, Barclays said.

Overall, two in three households said they were not confident in their ability to spot an AI scam, as the line between real and fake becomes increasingly blurred.

Some 44 per cent of adults said they were not confident they could detect the use of voice cloning technology, while 41 per cent believed they would be duped by fake images and videos.

Fraud: Almost half of Gen Z adults say AI deepfakes have changed their online dating habits

Shopping scams were of particular concern to Britons, Barclays said. This type of fraud involves a scammer pretending to sell a product or service that doesn’t exist.

AI has made it easier for fraudsters to generate fake shopping websites and reviews which could dupe a victim into handing over their cash, Barclays says.

Barclays warned customers that if they were asked to pay via bank transfer, cryptocurrencies or a gift card, the seller could be a scammer. These methods offer less protection than paying with a credit or debit card.

It also sounded the alarm over AI-enabled investment scams. These often start on social media, where a video may show celebrity, daytime television star or other public figure endorsing a new investment which ‘could make you a lot of money’.

But the investment isn’t real – and the celebrity hasn’t endorsed it.

Instead, it’s a fake video which has been made up by a scammer. They are pulling the strings and luring viewers to ‘invest’ their money in a fake scheme.

Victims will often be shown fake screenshots and account details, suggesting soaring returns.

These AI scams aren’t just limited to pop stars and reality show names.

Top financial figures including Hargreaves Lansdown co-founder Peter Hargreaves and former Fidelity star fund manager Anthony Bolton both had their likenesses pilfered by scammers last year to trick viewers into parting with their cash.

Paul Davis, head of economic crime at Barclays, said: ‘AI advances are fuelling scams fears, and consumers of all ages are losing confidence in their ability to tell real from fake. My advice to everyone, no matter how scam-smart they think you are, is to take time and do research.

‘If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, particularly in light of the latest developments in AI.

‘If you think a payment you’ve made is fraudulent, or you’ve been scammed and have lost money, report it to your bank as soon as possible.’

Whether you are shopping online or about to invest money based on a video you saw on a social media platform, beware if something feels too good to be true.

If you are being rushed to send money or enter in your personal details, take a step back and speak to friends and family.

Seven signs to spot a deepfake

There are little-known tricks you can use to determine if a video you have come across online is the real deal – or a trick designed to steal your money.

1. First, think through the request and the video itself. Is the celebrity or public figure saying something out of character? Is it unusual for a friend or family member to say or ask things like this?

2. Next, study the video and audio in detail. Odd movements around the mouth and chin are typical giveaways that the video isn’t real. Their mouth may be blurry or just look odd, which should raise red flags. Their mouth may not move in sync with the audio, either.

3. Look at their eye movements – are they natural? If not, it’s best to assume the video is fake.

4. Study the audio – does it match the tone and dialect of their voice? They could also be using odd words or sentence structures that are out of character.

5. Also check where the video has come from, which is typically a social media account. Some accounts may even state on their page they publish videos that have been altered or created using an AI program. If it hasn’t come from an official account such as a news website, it may have been edited.

6. Money changing hands should be the ultimate red flag. If the video asks you to part with your money, step away.

7. If all else fails, apply common sense. If it doesn’t seem right, assume it is a deepfake video.

To protect your own likeness from being copied in a deepfake scam, you should keep your social media accounts private and limit the number of high-quality photos and videos that you share.

If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, contact Action Fraud and your bank.