‘Rent a Boyfriend’ Scam Modus Operandi: How Fake Discounts and Dates Lure Young Women Into Blackmail Trap

Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has warned young women about commercial "rent boyfriend" offers circulating on social media, saying cyber criminals are using the schemes to cheat and blackmail victims. The offers are presented as confidential and professional companionship services, but police say they are part of a new "dating trap" targeting girls and young women.

Sajjanar said fraudsters lure women with attractive offers of companionship from handsome young men for activities such as coffee, movies or shopping. In a post on X, he warned that criminals use polished promotions and discounts to attract victims before seeking payments and collecting their personal information. ‘Rent a Boyfriend’ Scam: Hyderabad Police Warn Young Women of Cyber Fraud, Blackmail and Extortion Traps.

Modus Operandi: How the 'Rent Boyfriend' Scam Works

According to Sajjanar, the fraud begins with attractive social media advertisements offering companionship services at discounted rates.

The advertisements may feature photographs of handsome young men. Sajjanar said these images are either AI-generated or downloaded from the internet and do not necessarily represent the people supposedly offering the service. Muzaffarnagar Shocker: Girl Gets Classmate Beaten by Boyfriend After Trivial Dispute in Uttar Pradesh College, Shocking Video Surfaces.

The promotions are designed to make the offers appear legitimate and professional. Tagging a poster of a typical offer, Sajjanar pointed to discounts such as "1st August Special - 50% off." He said such offers are used to attract women and encourage them to contact the people behind the advertisements.

Fake Discounts and Attractive Offers

The first stage of the alleged scam involves drawing potential victims in with offers that appear inexpensive or time-limited. Sajjanar said fraudsters use discounts and attractive advertisements to create a sense of urgency and make the companionship service appear genuine.

The advertised services may include accompanying women for coffee, movies or shopping, according to the police warning.

Security Deposit and Advance Payments

Once a woman responds to the offer, the fraudsters allegedly demand money under different pretexts. Sajjanar said criminals first collect money in the name of a security deposit, advance payment and booking confirmation.

After receiving the money, the fraudsters may block the accounts of women who contacted them, leaving them without the promised service or a way to recover their payment.

Personal Details Become a Blackmail Tool

The alleged scam does not necessarily end after the payment is made. According to Sajjanar, fraudsters also collect phone numbers and personal photographs from victims. He warned that criminals may subsequently use such information to threaten or blackmail women.

This creates a second layer of risk for victims who initially approached the accounts believing they were legitimate companionship services.

Police Warn About AI-Generated Images

Sajjanar specifically cautioned that photographs used in these advertisements may not be genuine. He said the images of attractive young men featured in such promotions are either AI-generated or downloaded from the internet.

This can make it difficult for users to establish whether the person shown in an advertisement actually exists or is connected to the advertised service. Sajjanar said Hyderabad cyber crime police are monitoring such deceptive offers and will take action against those responsible according to law.

He also urged parents of young women to remain attentive to their children's social media activity and smartphone use to help prevent them from becoming victims of cybercrime. The police commissioner advised anyone who has fallen victim to such fraud to approach the city cyber crime police.

What Women Should Watch For

The police warning highlights a pattern involving attractive companionship advertisements, unusually high discounts, advance payment demands and requests for personal information. The combination of these elements can indicate a potential fraud, particularly when the person or service cannot be independently verified.

Police have urged potential victims to remain cautious about unsolicited companionship offers on social media and to seek official assistance if money or personal information has already been shared.

The warning comes as cyber criminals continue to adapt conventional online fraud techniques to newer forms of social-media interaction, using fake profiles, promotional offers and personal information to target victims.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2026 05:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).