Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Garba Partner Ads Trigger Cyber Safety Probe Before Navratri
Some social media posts offer people a paid companion for Garba events during Navratri.
These posts have appeared in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell is checking some of the accounts behind them.
Officials want to know whether the offers are real, made for publicity, or connected to scams.
They are also checking whether users might be asked for money or personal information.
Pictures and promotional materials may sometimes be made with artificial intelligence, making posts harder to verify.
People should check who they are dealing with before making any payment.
They should never share passwords, OTPs, or banking details with strangers.
Anyone who loses money to an online fraud should report it through helpline 1930.
Social media advertisements are offering paid companions for Garba events ahead of Navratri.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell is examining profiles linked to the offers.
Authorities are investigating whether the posts are genuine services, publicity content, or possible fraud.
Accounts connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat are being examined, though a common operation has not been established.
Officials warn users not to share sensitive information, open unknown links, or make unverified advance payments.
- Who
- The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell and other officials are examining social media accounts offering paid Garba companions.
- What
- Authorities are investigating the authenticity and safety of “Rent A Garba Partner” advertisements.
- When
- Ahead of Navratri, as festival-related activity increases on social media.
- Where
- The accounts and offers are linked to Gujarat and Maharashtra, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat.
- Why
- Officials are checking for possible fraud, phishing, financial harm, or attempts to obtain users’ sensitive information.
Cyber Safety Concerns
Possible Genuine or Promotional Offers
What the advertisements represent
Cyber Safety Concerns
Cyber officials are examining whether some accounts could be connected to fraudulent activity or attempts to obtain money and sensitive information.
Possible Genuine or Promotional Offers
The advertisements may be genuine commercial offers or social media content created for publicity; the inquiry does not establish that every offer is fraudulent.
Connection between locations
Cyber Safety Concerns
Similar advertisements linked to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat are being reviewed because their reach could expose users across state and city borders.
Possible Genuine or Promotional Offers
The presence of similar advertisements in different locations does not by itself prove that the accounts are part of one operation.
- Trend
- Social media advertisements offer paid companions for Garba events.
- Main investigating agency
- Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell
- Locations under examination
- Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Surat
- Potential risks
- Financial fraud, phishing, and theft of sensitive information
- Warning signs
- Advance-payment requests, unknown links, and unfamiliar accounts
- Information not to share
- Banking details, OTPs, passwords, and other sensitive data
- Reporting helpline
- National cybercrime helpline 1930