Now Reading: Hyderabad police warn of ‘rent a boyfriend’ scam on social media
-
01
Hyderabad police warn of ‘rent a boyfriend’ scam on social media
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has cautioned young women against a 'rent a boyfriend' scam circulating on Instagram, Telegram and Facebook. The fraudsters use AI-generated or internet-sourced photos of young men…
The Story in Brief
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar has cautioned young women against a 'rent a boyfriend' scam circulating on Instagram, Telegram and Facebook. The fraudsters use AI-generated or internet-sourced photos of young men to offer companionship services, coffee dates for Rs 499, movie dates for Rs 1,249, shopping companion packages for Rs 1,499, event escort for Rs 1,999 and full-day packages for Rs 4,499. They often lure victims with discount offers, then demand money as a security deposit or booking confirmation. Once payment is made via digital wallet or QR code, the accounts are blocked. The scammers may also collect phone numbers and personal photos for blackmail. Police urge victims to report to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the city cyber crime police. Parents have been advised to monitor their children's social media and smartphone use.
The Indian Opinion
The 'rent a boyfriend' scam is a grim reminder that loneliness can be weaponised. While the police have flagged AI-generated profiles and discount offers as red flags, the deeper issue is the lack of digital literacy among young women. Instead of just warnings, the city needs proactive awareness campaigns in colleges and on social platforms. A simple test: if an offer sounds too personal and too cheap, it is almost certainly a trap. How many victims must report to the helpline before prevention gets the same urgency as prosecution?
Sources (2): newindianexpress.com, rediff.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
