Hyderabad Telegram Honeytrap Scam: Young Man Loses Over Rs 1 Lakh in Sophisticated Online Fraud

Hyderabad:

A complex "honeytrap" scheme on Telegram has victimized a 20-year-old Hyderabad resident who lost over Rs 1 lakh before the fraud escalated to extortion. The young man, deceived by a convincing fake profile, transferred a total of Rs 1,02,093 to the scammers before discovering the deception.

The cybercrime cell is now investigating this incident in Yakutpura, which underscores the increasing danger of online scams targeting unsuspecting users on social media platforms.

According to official reports, the victim was approached by someone impersonating a woman who offered paid companionship services. The scammer created an elaborate facade of credibility using stolen photographs, fabricated testimonials, and manipulated feedback to gain trust.

After establishing rapport, the fraudster began a series of rapid payment demands under various misleading pretexts, creating a financial trap for the victim.

The young man made payments for supposed Advance Booking Fees, Service Security Deposits, Room Reservation Charges, and "Refundable" Manager Fees.

Following promises that these fees would be returned, the victim made multiple UPI and bank transfers, eventually sending Rs 1,02,093 to different bank accounts provided by the scammer.

The deception became evident when the victim was directed to meet at a hotel in the Abids area. Upon arrival, he found nobody waiting for him.

When he attempted to contact the supposed companion, the fraudster abandoned the pretense and immediately shifted to aggressive extortion tactics, demanding an additional Rs 10,000 accompanied by threats.

Recognizing the blackmail attempt, the victim promptly reported the incident to the police cybercrime cell.

Cybercrime officials regularly warn that these operations rely on stolen media and exploit victims' fear of social embarrassment. The typical elements of such scams—fake profiles and continuous demands for payments—represent a standard pattern of operation.

The Hyderabad cybercrime wing has issued a strong advisory urging the public to exercise extreme caution, advising never to trust unsolicited messages or profiles on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp offering paid companionship or high-value services.

They emphasize that legitimate services never require repeated payments for "security," "managers," or "refundable deposits" before providing any actual service.