Hyderabad: Scams come in many forms and shapes these days, targeting vulnerable age groups including the elderly.
Now, some innovative fraudster has come up with ‘Rent a Boyfriend’ in Hyderabad.
Telangana police have warned citizens about this new digital scam in the city. This one specifically targets young girls and women by offering them AI-generated or stolen profiles of men they can temporarily ‘purchase’ as a companion.
A flood of advertisements on social media attract clients, who are unaware of this cyber fraud.
Ultimately, money is extorted from these innocent people in the name of pre-bookings, before those accounts are blocked.
According to police, the cyber scam circulates advertisements on platforms like Instagram, Telegram and Facebook, offering services under captions such as ‘Rent Boyfriend – Your Personal Companion’.
The online posters feature AI-generated or profile pictures of handsome men from the internet. Different packages are offered – Rs 499 for a one-hour coffee meeting, Rs 1,249 for a movie date, Rs 1,499 for shopping, Rs 1,999 for attending events or weddings and Rs 4,499 for a 10-hour package –informed Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjana.
Clients are assured complete privacy and security, and those interested are asked to contact the handlers via direct message to place a booking.
Once a customer reaches out, these handles engage in friendly conversation with women before asking them to deposit money under the guise of booking confirmations, security deposits or advance payments.
Once payments are collected through digital wallets and QR codes, the accounts are blocked.
Flagging the fraud, Police Commissioner Sajjana issued a public warning.
“Feeling lonely? Want a handsome guy to have coffee with you, go to the movies with you? And that too with 50% OFF! Behind these colourful posters circulating on social media in the name of various offers lies a big cyber fraud. This is a new dating trap being set by cyber fraudsters, specifically targeting girls and young women,” the top cop posted on his X handle.
Police have warned people against sharing personal information, phone numbers and photographs with unknown people to eliminate the risk of blackmail and extortion.
Citizens should also refrain from meeting strangers via online platforms.
In case a victim falls prey to such a digital scam, the person must report it immediately through the cybercrime helpline 1930 or the national cybercrime reporting portal.