Hyderabad: Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar warned women about a rent boyfriend scam promoted through social media.
Cyber fraudsters target women and young girls through Instagram, Telegram and Facebook. They use attractive offers for coffee meetings, movie dates and companionship to draw victims in.
Posts carrying offers such as “1st August Special – 50% OFF” and “Rent Boyfriend – Your Personal Companion” have appeared online. The advertisements list different companionship packages at discounted rates.
The offers include a one-hour coffee meeting for ₹499. A movie date costs ₹1,249, while shopping companionship costs ₹1,499.
The advertisements also list event and wedding companionship at ₹1,999. A 10-hour full-day package costs ₹4,499.
The operators promise privacy and security. However, they ask interested users to contact them through direct messages for bookings.
Fraudsters use AI-generated images or photographs taken from the internet as profile pictures. They then start conversations with women who respond to the advertisements.
The operators use friendly messages to gain trust. Later, they demand money for booking confirmation, security deposits or advance payments.
They collect the money through digital wallets and QR codes. After receiving payments, they block the victims and stop responding.
Rent boyfriend scam can lead to fraud and blackmail
Police warned women against meeting unknown people based only on online conversations. Such meetings could expose victims to further risks.
Fraudsters may use false promises of companionship to deceive women. Moreover, they can collect phone numbers and personal photographs during chats.
They could later use that information to threaten or blackmail victims. Police therefore advised women not to trust unknown people contacted through such advertisements.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime division has taken note of these fraudulent advertisements. Police said investigators would identify those responsible and take action under the law.
Police also urged parents to monitor their children’s social media activity. They should know what posts their children view and whom they contact online.
Parents should also remain aware of whom their children meet outside. At the same time, police stressed the need to monitor smartphone use.
Women and young girls should not fall for attractive discount offers from unknown operators. They should avoid chatting with or meeting strangers connected to such advertisements.
Police also advised them not to make any advance payment. If anyone falls victim to such fraud, they should report it immediately.
Victims can call the cybercrime helpline at 1930. They can also file complaints through https://cybercrime.gov.in/.