A true story from the practice of Markus Poniewas, Managing Director of VIP-Partnervermittlung PV-Exklusiv.
A call that affects us.
A few days ago, a pleasant woman in her early 50s called me. She had met a man through one of the well-known online dating sites. The two corresponded daily, intimately, and emotionally for over a week.
She told me with emotion how she felt understood, how familiar and real everything seemed. It seemed as if there was finally someone there who saw her, understood her, and took her seriously.
Until the shock came: The man didn't even exist. He was a so-called "bot" – not a real person, but a computer program.
What really lies behind many online profiles
Out of curiosity—and perhaps also to understand what had happened—she read the platform's terms and conditions.
And at the very bottom, in the small print, she actually found a hint that hardly anyone notices:
In age groups where there is a lack of real members, “moderated profiles” or automated dialogues are used to maintain the platform’s activity.
Legally this may be correct – morally it is a scandal.
Because those who feel lonely open their hearts. They trust, hope, write—and believe that there's a real person on the other side.
But in reality, there is an algorithm sitting there.
Systematic emotional deception
This isn't an isolated incident. People are increasingly reporting "emotional fraud" on online dating platforms – a deception that has nothing to do with classic romance scamming, but is systemic.
Computer programs write messages, react to emotions, and mimic empathy. Using AI, they recognize when someone is insecure, when someone is seeking affection—and reflect exactly that back.
This creates closeness where there is none. And that's what makes this type of fraud so perfidious: It's not about money, but about feelings.
The emotional disappointment when someone realizes that the person they trusted was just a digital illusion is deep and difficult to heal.
Why real encounters are becoming more important again
This story shows why more and more sophisticated singles are seeking a return to reputable, genuine matchmaking services – to people who listen, guide, check, and take responsibility.
The PV-Exklusiv We conduct personal interviews, visit our prospective clients in their homes, and discuss values, character, and life goals. Every partner suggestion is based on real people, real conversations, and real encounters.
True love is not created by algorithms, but by closeness, authenticity and trust.
Conclusion: When the heart becomes a business model
It's time to talk about what's really happening on many online platforms.
What is sold there under the guise of “technological innovation” is often emotional manipulation.
Those who play with feelings destroy trust – and that is exactly what people who long for love need most.
PV-Exklusiv has stood for discretion, truthfulness and personal mediation at the highest level for years.
Because love is not a digital game – it remains the most personal connection that two people can enter into.