Fake Companion Ads Trigger Cybercrime Warning in Hyderabad Hyderabad, August 11, 2026: Hyderabad Police have cautioned women and young social media users against responding to fake companion-service advertisements. The warning follows the circulation of posts offering “boyfriends for rent” through Instagram, Facebook and Telegram. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar highlighted the scam in a post on X. According to the warning, fraudsters publish professionally designed advertisements featuring attractive men and offers for coffee dates, shopping trips, movie outings and other forms of companionship. The profiles and photographs used in these promotions may not be genuine. Some images could be created using artificial intelligence, while others may be copied from legitimate accounts without the owners’ knowledge. Fake bookings used to collect payments After a user contacts one of the advertised accounts, the operator starts a friendly conversation and presents different service packages. This interaction is intended to build trust and make the offer appear legitimate. The scammer then asks the user to pay a registration charge, refundable security deposit or advance booking fee. Payment requests are commonly sent through QR codes or digital payment applications. Once the victim authorises the transaction, the account may stop responding or block further communication. In some cases, the information collected during the conversation could be used for additional fraud attempts. Police warned users not to share personal photographs, phone numbers, home addresses or identification documents with unknown profiles. Such information can expose victims to identity theft, harassment, blackmail and threats. Agreeing to meet an unverified person can also create physical safety concerns. Reporting suspicious accounts and financial fraud Users should verify an account before starting a conversation or making a payment. Newly created profiles, copied photographs, unrealistic discounts, urgent payment demands and requests for secrecy are common warning signs. Before authorising any digital transaction, users should confirm the recipient’s name, payment amount and purpose. Scanning a QR code and entering a UPI PIN generally authorises a payment; it is not required to receive money. People who discover suspicious companion advertisements should save screenshots, account names, profile links, telephone numbers and payment details. The material can be submitted while filing a cybercrime complaint. Anyone who loses money should immediately contact the bank or payment provider and call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. Complaints can also be filed through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Rapid reporting may help authorities trace the transaction or freeze the transferred funds before they are moved elsewhere.

Bank of Baroda Data Breach: What Customers Need to Know Bank of Baroda has confirmed unauthorised access to certain customer data after an employee's email account was compromised. Its core banking systems remain secure, but customers should strengthen account security and remain cautious about phishing and identity misuse. Bank of Baroda Data Breach Safety Steps for Customers

Bank of Baroda Data Leak: Customer Safety Steps Explained Reports claim nearly 1TB of Bank of Baroda data may have surfaced online, potentially exposing customer and internal records. The breach remains unverified, but customers are being urged to watch for phishing, secure banking access, and report suspicious activity quickly. New Delhi, July 27, 2026: Bank of Baroda data leak customer safety steps have come into focus after reports c

Govt To Summon Meta Officials Over Instagram CSAM Ads Allegations The Central government is set to summon Meta officials after allegations surfaced that Instagram carried paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material in India. The issue has raised serious questions over the platform’s ad moderation system and online child safety measures. According to the report, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials of the Ministry of E

Arattai To Disable Usernames After WhatsApp Notice Row 3 July 2026: Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has announced that Arattai will disable its username-based account feature, days after the Indian government raised concerns over username features on messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. The move comes amid growing debate over whether usernames on messaging apps could increase the risk of online fraud, impersonation, and cybercrime

Tamil Nadu Spectrum Project: Police Colour-Code High-Risk Offenders To Strengthen Women’s Safety Tamil Nadu Police have launched a pilot initiative called the Spectrum Project to classify and monitor people linked to sexual offence cases based on their risk level. The colour-coded system is aimed at helping police identify high-risk offenders, repeat offenders, cyber offenders, and low-severity cases separately, allowing more focused preventive action.

Bengaluru cybercrime police have arrested two men accused of sexually exploiting minor girls, recording the abuse on mobile phones, and uploading the videos online. This case is notable because it targets the creators and distributors of illegal content, not just those who possess it. The arrest underscores growing concerns about child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and the increasing role of cybercrime units in protecting minors online. The accused, identified as Kiran Kumar (29) and

Bengaluru Man Duped Of Rs 5 Lakh In Fake WhatsApp Wedding Invite Scam  

A major “digital arrest” scam has come to light, highlighting the growing threat of cyber fraud in India. In this case, a victim was cheated out of over ₹2 crore after being manipulated by fraudsters posing as officials. Authorities later cracked the case, arresting multiple accused and recovering a significant portion of the stolen money. The fraud began with a call from someone claiming to be linked to a courier service, alleging that a parcel in the victim’s name containe

The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has arrested three individuals in connection with the online leak of the film Jana Nayagan, marking a significant breakthrough in the high-profile piracy case. According to officials, the main accused worked as a freelance assistant editor and allegedly gained unauthorised access to the film’s footage at an editing st

The Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has arrested six individuals in connection with the illegal online leak of Jana Nayagan, the reported farewell film of Vijay, in high-definition (HD). The accused have been remanded to judicial custody after allegedly sharing and distributing the film across multiple online platforms without authorisation, raising serious concerns over digital piracy in the film industry. In a swift crackdown, authorities have taken down over 300 links hosting pirated versions of the film. The leak, reported on April 9, saw several clips—and in some cases, the full movie—circulating widely on websites, social media platforms, and messaging apps. Officials are continuing efforts to identify additional sources and prevent further distribution. Following the incident, KVN Productions filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of a case at the State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre. Legal proceedings have been initiated under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, the Copyright Act, and the Cinematograph Act, all of which address digital piracy and unauthorised distribution of copyrighted content. Authorities have reiterated that strict action will be taken against individuals involved in piracy, including those who upload, share, or download such content. The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by the film industry in combating online leaks, particularly around major releases.