3 weeks ago
Hyderabad Police Warn Women Against 'Rent Boyfriend' Cyber Scam
Some bad people online are running a trick called the 'Rent Boyfriend' scam.
They put colorful posters on apps like Instagram, Telegram, and Facebook.
The posters promise a friendly, handsome person to have coffee with you, watch a movie, or go shopping.
They even offer discounts like 50 percent off to make it look like a fun deal.
But the pictures are fake - they are made by computers or taken from the internet.
When someone shows interest, the scammers ask for money before any meeting happens, calling it a booking fee or security deposit.
After the person pays, the scammers block them and disappear.
Some scammers may also use the personal information and photos people shared to threaten or blackmail them.
The police in Hyderabad are warning girls and young women to be careful.
They also ask parents to watch what their children do online and tell victims to report to the cyber crime police.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar warned that 'rent boyfriend' companion offers on social media are a cyber fraud targeting girls and young women.
Fraudsters circulate advertisements on Instagram, Telegram, and Facebook, with packages ranging from Rs 499 for a one-hour coffee meeting to Rs 4,499 for a 10-hour package.
Promotions include lures such as a '1st August Special - 50% off' discount, using photos that are AI-generated or downloaded from the internet.
Victims are asked to pay booking confirmation fees, security deposits, or advances through digital wallets and QR codes, after which their accounts are blocked.
Police warned that sharing phone numbers and personal photos can lead to threats and blackmail, urging parents to monitor social media use and victims to report to the cyber crime police.
- Who
- Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar and the Hyderabad Cyber Crime wing, warning about fraudsters targeting women and young girls.
- What
- A public warning about a 'Rent Boyfriend' cyber fraud in which social media ads for paid companionship are used to cheat and blackmail victims.
- Where
- Hyderabad, India, and on social media platforms including Instagram, Telegram, and Facebook.
- When
- The exact date is not stated in the articles; the warning was posted on X, with one offer advertised as a '1st August Special'.
- Why
- To prevent women and young girls from losing money to advance-payment scams and from being threatened or blackmailed with their personal photos and phone numbers.
Key facts
- Issuer
- V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad City
- Target audience
- Women and young girls
- Platforms used
- Instagram, Telegram, Facebook
- Price range
- Rs 499 (one-hour coffee) to Rs 4,499 (10-hour package)
- Other packages
- Rs 1,249 movie date; Rs 1,499 shopping; Rs 1,999 events or weddings
- Payment methods
- Digital wallets and QR codes
- Deceptive tactics
- AI-generated or internet-sourced photos; '1st August Special - 50% off' discount offers
- Police response
- Hyderabad Cyber Crime wing will take action as per law; victims urged to report
Sources
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