Hyderabad Police Warn of ‘Rent a Boyfriend’ Online Scam Hyderabad, August 11, 2026: Hyderabad Police have warned women and young girls about a “rent a boyfriend” online scam spreading through social media. Fraudsters are allegedly using attractive advertisements, fabricated companion packages and fake discounts to collect advance payments and personal information. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner VC Sajja

The Assam flood relief scam investigation has put nearly 50 social media accounts under scrutiny as the CID examines suspected online donation fraud. The action comes as a flood alert remains in parts of Golaghat, where rising Dhansiri and Doyang waters have affected communities. CID probe The Criminal Investigation Department of Assam Polic

Police registered two FIRs over alleged morphed and objectionable social media posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meta India Head Named As Co-Accused In Two FIRs Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have registered two separate cases against operators of several Facebook and Instagram accounts and named Meta India Managing Director and Head Arun Srinivas as a co-accused. The cases concern allegations that digitally manipulated

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has filed a police complaint over an allegedly AI-generated deepfake video that circulated widely on social media. The altered clip falsely portrayed him as making threatening remarks against students participating in protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Goyal said the footage had been created by manipulating a video of his interaction with reporters outside Parliament. He alleged that artificial intelligence

US visa restrictions for NRIs do not automatically affect ordinary Indian professionals, students or families. The new policy targets people linked to cyberscams, sextortion and enabling networks, while immediate family members of designated individuals may also face restrictions. The United States’ new global visa restriction policy targeting cyberscams, sextortion and related cyber-enabled crime may concern non-residen

The United States has introduced global US visa restrictions for foreign nationals linked to cyberscams, sextortion and cyber-enabled crime. The policy may also affect immediate family members and supports a broader campaign using prosecutions, sanctions and international cooperation. The United States announced a global visa restriction policy on Thursday, July 23, 2026, targeting foreign nationals responsible for or comp

Pawan Kalyan Sends Strong Warning Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has issued a firm warning against the misuse of social media for personal attacks, vulgar abuse and organized defamation campaigns. His remarks came after Andhra Pradesh police made two arrests in the last 24 hours over alleged abusive and derogatory comments targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan. While opposi

The Naresh Gujral WhatsApp impersonation scam allegedly led an employee at his company to transfer ₹7.68 crore through four bank transactions. Delhi Police said close to ₹4 crore has been frozen as investigators trace the accounts and digital communications connected to the payments. How the Naresh Gujral WhatsApp Scam Unfolded The alleged fraud took place from Friday, June 12, 2026, through Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Police officials s

Bengaluru cybercrime authorities have arrested two men accused of sexually exploiting minor girls, recording the abuse on mobile devices, and uploading the videos online. This case is notable because it targets the creators of the content, not just those in possession. The incident highlights growing concerns about online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and digital exploitation. The accused, Kiran Kumar (29) and Aditya M K (20), were apprehended on May 12 after a tip-off to the N

Hero’s Daughter Harassed in Online Game; One Arrested A troubling online incident involving Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar's teenage daughter has led to the arrest of one individual. The situation came to light when Akshay Kumar shared that his daughter had received inappropriate messages while playing an online game. What began as a routine interaction with another player quickly escalated when the stranger began asking personal qu

A major loan app scam in Kerala has come to light, with students and homemakers emerging as the worst affected groups. The fraudulent operation involves illegal digital lending apps that lure users with quick and easy loans, often requiring minimal documentation. Once individuals sign up, they are trapped in a cycle of harassment, high interest rates, and threats. Authorities have revealed that these apps operate without proper registration and violate financial regulations. Victims

India’s rapid digital transformation has made financial transactions faster and more convenient, but it has also led to a sharp rise in online fraud cases. Over the past decade, digital payments have grown exponentially, with platforms like Unified Payments Interface becoming a part of everyday life. However, this growth has been accompanied by a surge in fra

Dubai Police have arrested a man accused of professional begging despite owning three luxury cars, as part of an intensified Ramadan crackdown targeting illegal fundraising and street solicitation across the emirate. Authorities said the suspect amassed thousands of dirhams by appealing to public sympathy while presenting himself as impoverished and in distress. According to Brigadier Ali Al Shamsi, director of the Suspects and Criminal Phenomena Department, the man would position himself in public areas during the day, appearing fatigued and destitute to solicit financial assistance from passersby. Investigators found that once his daily activity concluded, he would abandon the disguise and leave the area in a high-end vehicle. Police said the suspect had refined his approach, crafting detailed narratives of hardship and helplessness that made his appeals appear credible and convincing. Officers discovered large sums of money in his possession at the time of arrest, with amounts estimated in the thousands of dirhams. In a separate case highlighted during the campaign, one individual was found to have collected Dh25,000 yet continued to beg despite the sum being sufficient to support himself or finance travel back to his home country. Officials described such practices as deliberate exploitation of public generosity, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when charitable giving typically increases. The arrest forms part of the “Combat Begging” campaign launched by Dubai Police to curb street begging and organised begging networks. During the first week of Ramadan alone, 26 beggars of various nationalities were detained as part of coordinated inspection efforts across key locations in the city. Authorities said the anti-begging campaign aims not only to enforce the law but also to protect residents and visitors from fraud and deception. Under UAE Federal Law No. 9 of 2018, begging is punishable by up to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of Dh5,000. Harsher penalties apply to those who organise begging rings or recruit individuals from abroad for the purpose of solicitation, with sentences reaching six months in prison and fines of up to Dh100,000. Police stressed that enforcement measures are designed to deter repeat offenders and dismantle organised operations that seek unlawful financial gain. Ahead of Ramadan, Dubai Police also issued warnings about online scams and donation fraud circulating on websites and social media platforms. The Anti-Cybercrime Department at the General Department of Criminal Investigation reported that fraudsters frequently exploit the spirit of compassion associated with Ramadan to solicit money through deceptive digital campaigns. Residents have been urged to verify charitable appeals through official channels and to report suspicious activities. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining public safety and ensuring that charitable contributions reach legitimate causes. They encouraged the public to channel donations through licensed charities and government-approved organisations, emphasizing that vigilance remains essential in preventing both street begging and online scams during the holy month.

India’s rapid digital lending growth has made borrowing simple but also riskier. Fraudsters now target people looking for quick loans, luring them with instant approvals, zero paperwork, and guaranteed deals. These traps are becoming more sophisticated, often disguised as real banking offers. Recognizing red flags before sharing your personal or banking details can protect you from financial loss and mental stress. Unrealistic loan promises are among the biggest traps. Scammers of

India is working closely with Thailand to repatriate around 500 Indian nationals detained after escaping a Chinese mafia-run cybercrime hub in Myanmar’s KK Park, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The operation follows a Myanmar junta raid on the compound last week, which forced hundreds of trafficked workers including Indians to cross into Thailand’s Mae Sot region, where they are currently under detention. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that India plans to send

Five adults have been arrested in Houston following a three-day undercover operation aimed at identifying and capturing individuals attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors. The sting, conducted by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s High-Tech Crimes Unit, brought together multiple law enforcement agencies in a coordinated effort to combat online child exploitation. Officials said the operation targeted suspects using social media and messaging platforms to contact

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an initiative under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has announced its Winter Internship Programme for 2025, aimed at students who wish to gain practical experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and cybercrime investigation. The programme offers aspiring professionals a platform to learn directly from experts engaged in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure. Applications must be submitted by October 17, 2025. The in

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently confirmed the successful repatriation of over 500 Indian nationals who had fallen victim to fake job offers in Myanmar and Thailand. According to the MEA, 266 Indians were repatriated on Tuesday by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, following the return of 283 Indians on Monday. These individuals were reportedly rescued from cybercrime scam centres operating along the Myanmar-Thailand border. The MEA, through its spokesperson Randhir Jai

A Russian national, Anatoly Mironov, was arrested by Gujarat police in relation to a digital arrest scam where a businessman was duped of Rs 17 lakh. Mironov, a "gatekeeper" for a cybercrime gang, was involved in laundering proceeds from the crime, converting some of the funds into cryptocurrency. He had entered India on a tourist visa and was previously involved in a similar fraud case in Pune, Maharashtra. The scam began when a city-based businessman reported being extor

 A Bengaluru software engineer was defrauded of Rs 11.8 crore over the span of just 18 days in a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam. The victim, a 39-year-old tech professional, filed a complaint with the North-East CEN police station on December 12 after realizing he had been tricked. The scam began when an individual posing as a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) officer contacted the victim, falsely claiming his Aadhaar-linked SIM card was involved in illegal acti