Hyderabad, Aug 8 (Maxim News): Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand warned girls and young women against falling victim to fraudulent “rent boyfriend” offers circulating on social media.
According to the commissioner, cybercriminals are using attractive dating and companionship offers to target young women through platforms such as Instagram, Telegram and Facebook.
The scammers reportedly advertise fake packages with discounted prices, including coffee dates for Rs 499, movie dates for Rs 1,249 and companionship for shopping, events and weddings.
‘Rent boyfriend’ offers used to collect money
Police said scammers also promote full-day packages, including a reported 10-hour package for Rs 4,499. They allegedly create fake profiles using photographs of attractive men generated through AI or taken from the internet.
After women respond to the advertisements, the fraudsters reportedly engage them in friendly conversations to gain their trust. They then demand money in the name of booking confirmation, security deposits and advance payments.
According to the warning, scammers use digital wallets and QR codes to collect money from victims. After receiving the payment, they may block the victims and disappear.
Police also warned that sharing phone numbers, photographs and other personal information with strangers could create additional risks. Cybercriminals may potentially use such information for blackmail or other forms of online exploitation.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police are monitoring such fraudulent advertisements and taking steps to identify those behind the schemes, officials said.
Commissioner Sajjanar advised people not to make advance payments after seeing attractive offers online. He also urged young women to avoid chatting with unknown persons, sharing personal photographs or personal information, and meeting strangers directly.
Parents were also advised to remain vigilant about their children’s social media activity and online contacts.
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