Hyderabad Police have warned women and young girls about a new “Rent a Boyfriend” scam spreading on social media.
Police said cybercriminals are using attractive advertisements and fake companion-service offers to cheat victims and collect their personal information.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar issued an alert on X, warning that eye-catching posters offering “boyfriends for rent” and attractive discounts could actually be part of cyber fraud.
Fraudsters reportedly post advertisements on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Telegram with titles like “Rent Boyfriend – Your Personal Companion.”
These posts often feature attractive-looking men, with some images allegedly generated using artificial intelligence or stolen from online profiles.
The scammers also advertise different packages such as coffee dates, movie companions, shopping trips and other outings.
Once a woman contacts them, the fraudsters begin chatting and later ask for advance payments in the name of registration fees, security deposits or booking charges.
Victims are usually asked to transfer money through QR codes or digital payment apps. After receiving the money, the scammers allegedly block the victim and stop responding.
Police have also warned parents to be aware of the type of content their children are viewing on social media and the people they are communicating with online.
According to police, sharing phone numbers, photographs or other personal information with unknown accounts could also expose victims to blackmail, harassment and other safety risks.
Authorities have advised women not to trust unknown online profiles or send advance payments for such services.
Police also cautioned against meeting strangers contacted through unverified social media accounts, as it could create serious personal safety risks.
Anyone who encounters suspicious online activity or becomes a victim of cyber fraud should immediately report the matter through the official cybercrime reporting channels.
The police said awareness and caution are the best ways to avoid falling into such online traps.
