Susub and ODDA Release Report on AI Romance Fraud
A new white paper from verification platform Sumsub and the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA) addresses the growing issue of romance fraud in the online dating sector, particularly as AI technologies make deception more sophisticated.
The report, “Are You Real? How Dating Apps Must Re-Architect for the AI Fraud Era,” analyzes how AI-generated content, deepfakes, synthetic identities, and coordinated scam networks are complicating trust and safety efforts. A big focus is on the difficulty platforms face in verifying genuine users while maintaining a positive user experience, something that has only gotten harder thanks to the widespread accessiiblity of AI image, voice and video generators.
The paper draws on Sumsub’s fraud prevention data and ODDA’s industry expertise. It examines the scale of romance fraud and how AI tools are evolving tactics used by bad actors. Key sections cover the current regulatory environment, including implications of the Online Safety Act and broader fraud strategies in the UK and elsewhere.
The report also discusses limitations in existing trust and safety approaches, such as one-time identity checks and reactive moderation. It proposes a DATE framework – focusing on risk-based deterrence, behavioral analysis, high-risk triage, and user empowerment – as a structured response for platforms.
Additional topics include user attitudes toward verification measures, the balance between safety and usability, and the potential for reusable identity signals and stronger age assurance. The paper includes survivor perspectives, industry data, and practical recommendations for improving fraud prevention without undermining platform appeal.
