New Delhi: If you see advertisements like “Need a boyfriend?” on social media, be alert immediately. Hyderabad police have issued a warning about a new cyber scam called “Rent a Boyfriend.” Fraudsters are luring girls and women with alluring posters, then extorting money from them and then blocking them.
How is this new fraud going?
Cybercriminals post photos of handsome men, either created by AI or stolen from the internet, on Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. The posts tout various packages, such as “coffee date,” “movie partner,” and “shopping companion.” The prices are also attractive enough to gain trust.
As soon as a girl makes contact, the scammers engage her in conversation. Then, they demand payment in the name of a registration fee, security deposit, or advance booking. Once the victim scans a QR code or sends money online, the scammers immediately block her from WhatsApp, calls, and social media.
The money is lost, but no boyfriend is found. According to the police, this scam not only involves losing money, but also stealing the women’s personal data. This data can later be used for blackmailing.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner warned
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, IPS, posted on X to warn people that these posters purporting to find partners are merely a means of cyber fraud. Don’t fall for them.
He also urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity. “It’s important to pay attention to what your children are viewing on social media, who they’re talking to, and who they’re meeting outside. If smartphones aren’t monitored, children can fall into such dangerous traps,” Sajjanar wrote.
How to avoid this trap?
- Avoid stranger profiles – Avoid personal conversations and meetings with strangers on social media.
- Don’t make advance payments – Never send money upfront for any online ‘service’.
- AI Photo Recognition – Too-perfect-looking photos are often AI-generated.
- Complain – If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this fraud, immediately call the cyber crime helpline 1930 or lodge a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal.
Police say don’t be hasty in your actions because of attractive offers. A little carelessness could leave you bankrupt.
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