'Rent Boyfriend' Offers On Social Media? Hyderabad Police Commissioner Warns Young Women Of Cyber Criminals

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Saturday issued a public advisory cautioning young women against so-called “rent boyfriend” services being promoted on social media platforms.

In a post on X, the Commissioner described these offers as a new form of online dating trap. Advertisements promising confidential, professional companionship from “handsome young men” for casual outings such as coffee, movies or shopping are, according to him, designed by cyber criminals to exploit victims.

Sajjanar warned that once contact is established, the perpetrators aim to obtain personal photographs and other private material, which they later use to cheat and blackmail the women involved.

“If you trust online conversations and go to meet unknown people in person, there is a risk that they can easily trap you. There are high chances of being deceived with lies in the name of love. Based on phone numbers and personal photos cleverly collected during chatting, there is a possibility of severe threats and blackmailing later,” the post read.

The Police Commissioner’s post also urged parents to keep a tab on their children’s online activities.

“Parents should constantly monitor and keep an eye on what kind of posts their children are seeing on social media, whom they are talking to, and whom they are meeting when they go out. Without proper supervision of smartphone usage, innocent children are at risk of falling into the fraudsters’ trap,” the post read.

“If anyone falls victim to such cyber fraudsters or notices suspicious posts, do not panic—immediately call the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or file a complaint on the portal http://cybercrime.gov.in,” the post added.

He urged girls and young women to remain vigilant and avoid responding to such commercial companionship offers circulating online.

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