Hyderabad women targeted in ‘rent boyfriend’ cyber scam
HYDERABAD: “Are you suffering from loneliness? Do you want a handsome boy to have coffee with you or go to a movie with you? That too at 50 per cent off?” Colourful posters offering such deals on social media are being used as a front for a cyber fraud, with women and young women being specifically targeted in a new dating scam.
Posts promoting offers such as “1st August Special – 50% OFF” and “Rent Boyfriend – Your Personal Companion” are being circulated on Instagram, Telegram and Facebook, with various discount packages.
Fraudsters offer fake dates at prices starting ₹499
Using photographs of attractive young men, the fraudsters offer a one-hour coffee meeting for ₹499, a movie date for ₹1,249, companionship for shopping for ₹1,499, attendance at events or weddings for ₹1,999, and a 10-hour full-day package for ₹4,499.
The posters promise privacy and security, while claiming that the service does not involve any illegal activity. Interested women are asked to send a direct message to make bookings.
Fake profiles are used to build trust before payments
The fraudsters use photographs of handsome young men generated using artificial intelligence or sourced from the internet as profile pictures. Once women message them, they begin conversations using flattering and friendly language.
They then collect thousands of rupees through digital wallets and QR codes in the name of booking confirmation, security deposits and advance payments before blocking the accounts.
Women who trust such online conversations and agree to meet strangers in person could be at risk of being trapped. Fraudsters may also deceive them with false claims of love. During chats, they could collect phone numbers and personal photographs and later use them to threaten or blackmail the victims.
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have taken note of such fraudulent advertisements. The source copy states that the cybercrime unit will investigate those responsible and take legal action against them. Hyderabad police records also identify a dedicated Cyber Crime Police unit.
Parents urged to monitor children’s social media activity
Women as well as parents have been urged to remain alert. Parents should keep track of the posts their children view on social media, whom they communicate with and whom they meet when they go out.
Without proper supervision of smartphone use, unsuspecting young people could fall into the trap laid by fraudsters.
Do not be lured by attractive discount offers posted by fraudsters. Do not chat with or meet strangers, and do not make even a small advance payment.
అమ్మాయిలూ.. రెంట్ బాయ్ఫ్రెండ్ ఆఫర్ల వల.. జాగ్రత్త!!
“ఒంటరితనంతో బాధపడుతున్నారా? మీతో కాఫీ తాగడానికి, సినిమాకెళ్లడానికి అందమైన అబ్బాయి కావాలా? అది కూడా 50 శాతం ఆఫర్లతో!”.. సోషల్ మీడియాలో రకరకాల ఆఫర్ల పేరుతో కలర్ఫుల్గా కనిపిస్తున్న ఈ పోస్టర్ల వెనుక పెద్ద సైబర్ మోసం దాగి ఉంది.… pic.twitter.com/E7O1mgwUip
— V.C. Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC_IPS) August 8, 2026
If anyone falls victim to such cyber fraud or comes across suspicious posts, they should not panic. They should immediately call the cybercrime helpline on 1930 or file a complaint on the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
