Australians turn to AI for love as dating scams surge

Norton reports a shift in Australian online dating behaviour, with many users open to romantic interaction with artificial intelligence and also reporting increased exposure to dating scams.

Survey results published by the cyber safety brand show 45% of Australian online daters would consider dating an AI chatbot, while 34% believe an AI partner could be more emotionally supportive than a human.

At the same time, the findings point to a rise in social engineering threats. Norton cited figures from the Gen Threat Report showing social engineering now accounts for more than 90% of digital threats to individuals.

AI in dating

The results suggest AI tools are becoming a routine part of dating app activity. Among Australians who have dated online, 44% would use AI to help build a dating profile and 48% would use it to write a pickup line.

A substantial minority would outsource more direct interaction. The survey found 37% would consider letting AI go on a virtual date on their behalf.

Participants also reported using AI for emotional guidance. The research found 57% of online daters would trust an AI relationship coach more than a friend or family member.

Norton's data suggests some Australians also use AI outside dating as a source of personal support. It found 19% would talk to an AI chatbot to get through a rough day, while 14% would use AI specifically to ease loneliness.

Loneliness factor

The research links changing behaviour to broader feelings of social isolation. The survey found 76% of Australians experience loneliness, and 35% said their loneliness has increased since COVID.

More than a quarter of respondents connected those feelings to their online dating decisions. The study found 27% said loneliness can lead to riskier choices when dating online.

Dean Williams, Norton's Principal Systems Engineer, said the changing relationship between technology and emotion is altering how people approach dating.

"Technology has transformed how we meet people and now it's transforming how we feel about them," Williams said.

Scam exposure

The survey also points to sustained scam activity on dating platforms. It found 23% of online daters have been targeted by a dating scam, and of those, 38% said they fell victim.

It also found 28% of respondents have been pressured to send money to someone they met online, and another 28% said they have been catfished.

Norton cited its own blocking data from the last quarter of 2025, reporting more than 17 million dating scams were blocked in Q4 2025-an increase of more than 19% from 2024.

Users also reported frequent exposure to suspicious profiles. The survey found 56% of current dating app users encounter suspicious profiles at least weekly.

Among those contacted by suspicious profiles, 35% said they clicked links they were sent, while 29% shared personal information.

Impersonation tactics

Celebrity impersonation also emerged as a recurring theme. Among Australians who have used dating apps, 34% said they have been contacted by someone claiming to be a celebrity or public figure.

Some of those respondents reported financial loss. The research found 26% of people contacted by a supposed celebrity or public figure went on to send money.

Williams said scammers exploit normal dating dynamics and can use AI-generated content to make false narratives more persuasive.

"AI-powered tools can feel supportive, attentive and personalised, which makes them incredibly compelling. But the same technology is also making scams more convincing, emotional manipulation more subtle, and fake identities harder to spot. It's never been more important to slow down, question what you're seeing, and protect your personal information," Williams said.

He added that vulnerability often increases because many people use dating services in an emotional context.

"We're seeing AI step into very human spaces by listening, comforting and advising," Williams said.

"That can feel incredibly real. But loneliness can also lower our guard, and that's when scammers move in. It's important to pause, sense-check what's happening, and reach out to people you trust in the real world," he said.

Williams said urgency and secrecy remain common warning signs in romance fraud, particularly when money enters the conversation.

"Scammers understand the psychology of dating apps," Williams said.

"They mirror emotions, build intimacy quickly, and then introduce urgency or secrecy - often involving money. Add AI into that mix, and it becomes even easier for bad actors to create stories that feel real, personal, and safe. Real trust should never come with pressure," he said.

Norton said its Norton 360 product includes scam detection, a VPN, and mobile security tools that flag suspicious links and block phishing attempts, along with other protections for personal data across devices.

The study was conducted online in Australia by Dynata on behalf of Gen among 1,000 adults aged 18 and older. Results were weighted by age, gender, and region to be nationally representative.