Discussions

(from Scambusters)A new class of bots (software robots) have found their way  
onto online dating forums, and we predict this is just the  
beginning of a new class of scams that will probably grow very  
fast.  
 
These programs mimic online flirting with the goal of getting  
victims to provide personal information.  
 
The first of these programs is called CyberLover.  
Unfortunately, CyberLover is good enough at automating its  
chat so that victims have a hard time recognizing that it's an  
automated robot rather than a real person.  
 
Further, CyberLover can establish up to 10 "relationships" in  
30 minutes. That means that scammers can use this software  
to automate the scamming process: rather than having to spend  
time themselves, they can unleash this software to find  
hundreds or thousands of victims at a time.  
 
CyberLover can be used for financial and identity theft, as  
well as leading to "personal" websites that deliver malware.  
 
Currently, CyberLover is targeted at Russian dating sites.  
However, it won't be long until we see similar bots in other  
countries (probably next month).  
 
Action: Always use common sense. Don't provide financial or  
other personal information. And be on the alert that you may  
be flirting with a robot. :-)