UK Gen Z Singles Increasingly Fear AI Dating Scams

A notable shift is underway among young singles in the UK. Gen Z is increasingly ditching dating apps in favor of old-fashioned in-person connections, driven by skyrocketing fears over AI-powered romance scams. A recent study commissioned by Barclays for the Daily Express reveals that 56% of Gen Z singles now prioritize meeting potential partners face-to-face, a figure significantly higher than the 42% average across all generations. This reversal comes as concerns about sophisticated online fraud reach new heights.

According to Barclays’ scam data, romance scams originating on dating sites and social media platforms accounted for 67% of reports in 2025. Victims lost an average of £7,000 each, with many enduring months of grooming – averaging seven months – before scammers requested money. One in five UK adults has either been targeted by a romance scam or knows someone who has, and 40% of those personally affected lost funds.

The rise of AI tools like deepfakes, voice cloning, and fake images/videos has made these scams far harder to detect. 66% of UK adults believe AI is complicating the identification of fraud, with over half expressing worry about voice or image impersonation. Among Gen Z, concern climbs to 62% fearing scammers could misuse their own likeness or voice. Half of Gen Z singles report that AI scam fears have altered their online dating habits, while 39% of adults overall now feel more reluctant to pursue romance digitally due to these advancements.

While this pivot towards in-person romance could signal a major change in how many gen-z users approach dating, it also provides opportunities for any apps that can step in to cover that gap. If scams become more prevalent, platforms that are able to skirt around them – either with good security or by having a structure that doesn’t make these scams practical – could see an upswing in users.