Hyderabad man loses ₹1 lakh in Telegram honeytrap that morphs into extortion racket
A 20-year-old Hyderabad resident has fallen victim to a highly sophisticated “honeytrap” scam on Telegram, losing ₹1,02,093 before the fraudsters escalated the con into outright extortion, according to media reports.
The incident, reported from Yakutpura and now under investigation by the Hyderabad cybercrime cell, once again exposes the alarming rise of organised digital rackets targeting young and vulnerable users.
According to the police complaint, the victim was contacted by someone posing as a woman offering paid companionship.
The scammer operated through a carefully crafted fake persona — complete with stolen photos, forged testimonials, and manipulated chat screenshots — creating the illusion of legitimacy.
Once trust was established, the fraudster unleashed a rapid-fire series of payment demands, citing Advance Booking Fees, Service Security Deposits, Room Reservation Charges, and “refundable” Manager Fees.
Believing the assurances and promised refunds, the victim ended up transferring over ₹1 lakh via UPI and bank transfers.
The deception unravelled when the young man was instructed to arrive at a hotel in Abids for the scheduled meeting, only to find no one there.
When he attempted to follow up, the scammer instantly dropped the act and switched to threats, demanding another ₹10,000 and attempting to blackmail him.
Realising he was being extorted, the victim approached the cybercrime police immediately.
Cybercrime officials warn that such honeytrap operations rely on stolen images, fake identities, and the victim’s fear of embarrassment. The repeated demand for multiple “fees,” they said, is a classic red flag.
In a public advisory, the Hyderabad cybercrime wing reminded citizens never to trust unsolicited messages on Telegram, WhatsApp, or other platforms offering companionship or high-value services.
“No genuine service will ask for repeated deposits or security payments,” officials said, urging extreme caution.
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