Now Reading: Hyderabad Police warn of ‘rent a boyfriend’ online scam
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Hyderabad Police warn of ‘rent a boyfriend’ online scam
Hyderabad police have warned women and young girls about a 'rent a boyfriend' scam circulating on social media. Cyber criminals post attractive advertisements on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram, offering companion…
The Story in Brief
Hyderabad police have warned women and young girls about a 'rent a boyfriend' scam circulating on social media. Cyber criminals post attractive advertisements on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram, offering companion services such as coffee dates and shopping trips, often with fake discounts. Once a victim contacts them, they demand upfront payments through digital apps and then block all communication. Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar shared the alert on X, cautioning that sharing personal details with unverified accounts can lead to blackmail, harassment, and physical safety risks. Victims are advised to report incidents to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or the national portal.
The Indian Opinion
The 'rent a boyfriend' scam is a predictable low hanging fruit for cyber fraudsters. But the real story here is the persistent gullibility that fuels such schemes. Desperation for companionship, amplified by social media's curated loneliness, makes people ignore basic safety protocols. The police warning is necessary, but it only addresses the symptom, not the root cause of digital vulnerability.
Source: ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
