The president of the Association of Banks of Puerto Rico, Zoimé Álvarez Rubio, warned that a supposed admirer who sends flowers and romantic messages could be someone who does not even exist, as scammers use artificial intelligence to create fake profiles, particularly targeting older adults. In an interview with WKAQ 580, Álvarez Rubio explained that criminals can create fictitious identities, send friend requests and establish conversations through social media or messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Puede ser una feca. Antes de creer, verifica
As an example, she cited an educational campaign video showing a man with a bouquet of flowers expressing romantic feelings, who was actually created with artificial intelligence and does not exist. Known as romance fraud, the scheme can begin with affectionate messages and frequent conversations until the supposed admirer gains the victim’s trust. According to AARP and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers often invent personal emergencies to request money and sometimes avoid any in-person meeting.
The Association of Banks, AARP Puerto Rico and the Police launched the educational campaign "Puede ser una feca. Antes de creer, verifica," aimed especially at older adults. The initiative includes AI-created videos demonstrating how easily false images, voices and situations can be fabricated.
Álvarez Rubio said the materials will be available on the participating organizations’ social media and can be shared by companies, government agencies and community entities to broaden the prevention message.