Hyderabad Police has warned young women about social media advertisements offering boyfriend-for-rent services and collecting advance payments through QR codes and UPI apps
Hyderabad Police has warned young women about a Boyfriend for Rent cyber fraud network operating through social media in Hyderabad. Fraudsters use advertisements to collect registration, security deposit or booking fees before blocking victims.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police has issued a warning about a cyber fraud network targeting young women through social media advertisements offering services under names such as “Boyfriend for Rent” and “Rent Boyfriend Your Personal Companion”. According to police, fraudsters use such advertisements to gain the trust of women, collect money as registration or booking fees and then disconnect them.
The trend of offering or seeking “Boyfriend for Rent” and “Girlfriend for Rent” services has emerged in several major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Police have cautioned people against interacting with unknown and unverified accounts offering such services online.
Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has also issued a warning on Twitter, stating that cyber fraudsters are deceiving people by offering companionship services and using attractive discounts to gain their trust.
Hyderabad Boyfriend for Rent Scam on Social Media
According to Hyderabad Police, advertisements offering boyfriend-for-rent services are being posted on platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Telegram. One of the advertisements uses the title “Rent Boyfriend Your Personal Companion”.
Fraudsters reportedly use photographs of young men generated through artificial intelligence or photographs taken from other people's social media profiles. The advertisements offer services such as meeting for coffee, going to the cinema and accompanying customers while shopping.
Women who respond to these advertisements may be contacted by the fraudsters and engaged in conversations before being asked to make payments. The fraudsters reportedly use the interaction to establish trust and persuade victims to transfer money in advance.
The payments are sought under different names, including registration fees, security deposits and booking fees. Victims may be directed to make the payment through QR codes or UPI applications.
Once the money is credited to the fraudsters' accounts, the suspects reportedly block the victims' phone numbers and stop communicating with them.
Police Warns About Blackmail and Physical Danger
Hyderabad Police has also cautioned people about the risks of sharing personal information with unknown online accounts.
According to the police warning, sharing phone numbers, photographs and other personal details with unverified profiles can expose individuals to blackmail and harassment. Police have also warned that meeting unknown people contacted through such accounts can create risks to personal safety.
The warning comes as fraudsters use social media platforms to contact potential victims and present the services as legitimate companionship arrangements.
Hyderabad Police Advice to Young Women and Parents
Hyderabad Police has advised young women not to interact with unknown or unverified profiles offering such services. People have also been asked not to share personal information or photographs with such accounts.
Police have specifically advised against making advance payments for services offered through unverified online profiles.
Parents have also been asked to remain aware of their children's activities on social media. Police said parents should monitor what their children are viewing, whom they are communicating with and whom they are meeting through social media platforms.
Monitoring smartphone usage and maintaining awareness of online interactions can help identify suspicious activity and prevent people from becoming victims of cyber fraud.
Police advised, Do not share personal information with unknown profiles or make advance payments for unverified online services.
How to Report Boyfriend for Rent Cyber Fraud?
Hyderabad Police has advised people to report suspicious online activity or cyber fraud without delay.
Anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud can contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930. Complaints can also be registered through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Police have urged people to remain cautious when responding to social media advertisements involving payments, personal information or meetings with unknown individuals.
