“Algorithmic Love” is an exploration of the impact of online dating, romance scams and the consequences it has for the victims. In these scams criminals pretend to initiate a relationship via dating apps and websites with the intention to defraud their victims.
Using AI-generated images, real life stories and conversations between victims and scammers. My aim with this project to highlight how easy it is for anyone to be fooled online and how scammers have made dating into a lucrative business model.
The project initially started when I fell victim to a Bitcoin scam. In the months that followed I kept wondering what made me fall for the scam and how exactly these scammers operate.
During my research I came across several scientific papers outlining the persuasive techniques employed by criminals in online dating scams. I discovered that it was a global phenomenon and one that has been increasingly growing post the pandemic. It made me curious if this had to do with the growth of global loneliness which being force inside helped create.
The project explores the ways in which scammers use romantic ideals of what love could look like. It gives insight into the ways they manipulate their victims using stolen identities, grooming techniques and other highly sophisticated methods of fraud.
People have lost their entire life savings, pensions and homes to these criminals. In their search for love they ended up losing everything. With this project I hope to create awareness around this pressing issue.
whispers in the night i dare not resist
sirens calling my name
i am animal
urges, longings and untold desires
an all consuming force
when i see it i know it
a black mass
my body
my thoughts
my spirit
being swallowed
fighting is futile
give in
give up
let the river carry you
to whichever place you were meant to go
there is no shame here
no judgement
all cut from the same cloth
vast vessels of lust
love is eternal
