“Virtual Girlfriends,” the new digital fraud that threatens sextortion and identity theft

The SSC-CDMX warns that these online relationships, which appear romantic and harmless, have become a form of cybercrime based on emotional deception, manipulation, and extortion.

So-called “virtual girlfriends” have gained popularity online as a way to establish long-distance emotional bonds, especially among young people and adults seeking companionship. However, behind attractive profiles and romantic conversations lies a fraud scheme increasingly used by cybercriminals.

According to the Mexico City Secretariat of Citizen Security, the method involves creating fake profiles on social media or gaming platforms to attract victims. After gaining their trust, the criminals request personal information, intimate photos, or even money transfers. This leaves victims vulnerable to identity theft, extortion, or unauthorized access to their devices.

Social engineering plays a central role in these scams: people are manipulated into revealing passwords, family or financial information, information that is then used to hack accounts or commit fraud. The SSC warns that the alleged digital relationship can lead to sextortion, espionage, and financial blackmail.

In response to this threat, authorities recommend avoiding sharing sensitive data or intimate images with strangers, avoiding sending money, verifying the identity of your “virtual partner” through video calls, setting privacy settings on social media, and using strong passwords with two-step verification.

Finally, the SSC urges everyone to report any suspicious profile or attempted fraud to the Cyber ​​Police. The warning is clear: a cybercriminal may be hiding behind a “virtual girlfriend.”