Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar warned the public about a growing Dating app scam, saying cybercriminals were using AI-generated videos to lure users into dangerous honeytraps.
He said advertisements promising chats with “beautiful girls and women” were widely circulating on social media platforms. However, he clarified that these were not genuine interactions but traps designed to exploit users, especially those experiencing loneliness.
According to Sajjanar, the videos used in such promotions were created using artificial intelligence. He cautioned that clicking on such links and installing unknown apps could expose users to serious risks.
Once installed, these apps allegedly gain access to sensitive data, including contacts and photo galleries. Subsequently, victims receive video calls where explicit content is played, while their facial reactions are recorded without their knowledge.
Dating app scam uses AI videos for sextortion
Police said fraudsters later morph these recordings and threaten to circulate them among the victim’s contacts. As a result, victims are coerced into paying money to avoid public embarrassment. Officials warned that repeated payments could eventually drain bank accounts.
Sajjanar stated that strict legal action would be taken against those promoting such fraudulent advertisements on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. He stressed that online strangers offering friendship often have malicious intent.
He urged people not to install unknown dating or video-calling apps in moments of impulse. Notably, many such advertisements appear during late-night hours, increasing vulnerability among users.
Officials also advised victims not to panic if trapped. Instead, they should immediately call the toll-free number 1930 or file a complaint on the national cybercrime portal. Cyber experts reiterated that not every online interaction is genuine and warned that a single click could lead to financial and reputational loss.
