Are you being 'botfished'? A cybersecurity expert's advise for how to spot an AI dating scam

Robert Falzdon of Software Technologies Inc. Canada joined CTV Morning Live on Tuesday to warn people about increasing rates of so-called “botfishing.”

Does your cat like lasagna?

It’s a question one cybersecurity expert recommends people ask if they think they’re speaking with a bot on a dating app or website.

Robert Falzdon of Software Technologies Inc. Canada joined CTV Morning Live on Tuesday to warn people about increasing rates of so-called “botfishing.”

He says in the last year alone, Canada had a 20 per cent increase in scams involving bots, often being powered by artificial intelligence, which try to coax personal and financial information out of people looking for love online.

One explanation for the worrying trend is the massive online shift that happened as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when more Canadians were looking for virtual ways to connect and socialize with others.

“Unfortunately, scammers have noticed that, and as they’re noticing that, they’re starting to use some of these advanced tools,” Falzdad said.

Some of these tools include voice simulators, face generators, deepfakes—in which believable but fake photos or video are created—and chat bots that can create human-like text responses.