Europol officials have identified a surge in fraud on dating and social media apps, driven by the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The agency's experts note that AI-generated scripts enable criminals to simultaneously target numerous victims in multiple countries. The rise in such scams is exacerbated by global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Europol warns of cases where individuals claim to be in war zones, seeking funds and support. The agency also highlights a rise in "bogus boss" scams involving elaborate webs of fake websites, CVs and investor profiles. "People sometimes lose their life savings, investing in all kinds of products... We hear from our investigators about cases that are quite dramatic – people jumping out of the window because they lost pension savings in investment schemes," Burkhard Mühl, Head of the Financial and Economic Crime Unit at Europol told the Guardian. The EU's law enforcement agency emphasized the role of AI, including large language tools like ChatGPT, in facilitating scammers. The agency urged people to report such crimes to the police, highlighting the psychological damage endured by victims. Investor fraud, particularly text message scams, has reportedly risen by 40% in the UK since the launch of ChatGPT, British authorities say. Europol notes that Europe is a prime target for criminals due to its high standard of living and the disposable income of its population.