‘Boyfriend for Rent’: Fake Dating Ads Emerge as New Threat to Young Women in India

Hyderabad, India: Fake social media advertisements offering “boyfriends for rent” are emerging as a new form of cyber fraud targeting young women in India, Hyderabad police have warned.

The advertisements offer women the chance to hire a young man to accompany them for coffee, movies, shopping or social events. However, police say the scheme may be designed to obtain personal information and money from victims.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar described the advertisements as a new dating trap created by cybercriminals, particularly targeting young women.

Different Prices for Different Activities

According to police, the advertisements list different prices depending on the activity and duration.

For example:

• Coffee and conversation for one hour: 499 Indian rupees
• Watching a movie: 1,249 rupees
• Shopping companionship: 1,499 rupees
• Accompanying someone to an event or wedding: 1,999 rupees
• A 10-hour full-day package: 4,499 rupees

The advertisements ask interested women to contact the operators directly and promise that their personal details will remain confidential.

AI-Generated Photos Used in Ads

Police investigations have reportedly found that photographs of the men featured in some of the advertisements do not correspond to real people and were allegedly generated using artificial intelligence.

Sajjanar said the scammers first try to obtain personal details from women who contact them. Once a booking is confirmed, victims are asked to make an advance payment through digital wallets or QR codes.

After receiving the money, the scammers allegedly block the victims and disappear.

Risk of Blackmail

Police have warned that the scam could involve more than financial losses. Personal information, phone numbers and photographs could potentially be misused for blackmail or harassment.

Sajjanar said no victim had so far come forward with a formal complaint, but the Hyderabad cybercrime wing is monitoring the advertisements and investigating who is operating them.

Police suspect the scheme may be being operated from outside Telangana.

Cybercrime Rising in India

According to India's National Crime Records Bureau, cybercrime has been increasing steadily.

India recorded 65,893 cybercrime cases in 2022, rising to 86,420 in 2023. More than 100,000 cases were recorded in 2024.

Of these, 18,615 cases involved women. A total of 601 cases of cyber blackmailing were recorded, including 370 involving women.

Psychologist Urges Parents to Stay Alert

Hyderabad-based psychologist Anita Aare said parents should maintain open communication with teenagers, particularly as they enter adolescence.

She said young people at this age may become interested in new relationships and can be vulnerable to attractive offers and online approaches from strangers.

Aare advised parents to avoid overly negative or judgmental conversations and instead explain the risks of sharing personal information and communicating with unknown people online.

Police have urged people not to trust such advertisements, avoid sharing personal information or photographs with strangers, and report suspicious online activity immediately.