Police warn against rising ‘Honey Trap’ cyber frauds

Hyderabad Police warned of rising cyber frauds via fake dating and video-calling apps using AI-generated content to lure victims. Commissioner VC Sajjanar urged caution, advising against downloading suspicious apps and reporting cybercrime via 1930 or the national portal

Hyderabad: The city police have issued a strong advisory cautioning people against a surge in cyber frauds linked to fake dating and video-calling applications circulating on social media platforms.

These deceptive advertisements often lure users with promises of chatting with attractive women, but are in fact traps set by cybercriminals targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly youth.

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Taking to social media, Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar on Tuesday said that most of the videos used in such ads were not real, but generated using advanced artificial intelligence to appear convincing. “Once a user downloads these applications through suspicious links, fraudsters allegedly gain access to sensitive data, including contact lists and personal media,” he said.

Victims are then reportedly coerced into explicit video interactions, during which the criminals record footage and later manipulate it to create compromising content. This material is subsequently used to blackmail victims, threatening to share it with their family and friends unless money is paid.

Cybercrime officials said several victims, fearing social embarrassment, end up transferring large sums of money, leading to severe financial losses.

The city police have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those promoting or operating such fraudulent schemes on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Citizens were advised to avoid downloading unknown apps or clicking on suspicious links, especially those that appear during late hours.

Cybercrime can be reported by dialing 1930 or filing a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.