Hyderabad Police have cautioned residents about a spike in AI-driven 'honeytrap' scams that are circulating across social media platforms. The alert came from Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, who issued a public advisory on March 17, 2026, urging citizens to be vigilant. The communication was shared on his X account, underscoring the department's use of social media to get the message out quickly to potential targets. The warning focused on the way scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create deceptive content and manipulate users.
According to the advisory, the scams rely on fabricated videos of women to entice individuals into engaging further. These videos are crafted to appear convincing and are used as bait to drive users toward downloading applications that purport to offer dating or video-calling services. The advisory characterized the trend as a surge, pointing to heightened activity and increased attempts to ensnare users through social media channels. By flagging the use of fabricated visuals, the police highlighted the evolving tools being leveraged by fraudsters to build false trust.
Once the initial contact is made, the fraudsters direct targets to install fake applications that mimic legitimate dating or video-calling platforms. The advisory warned that these applications, once on a device, can access personal information. Specifically noted were contacts and photos, which can be particularly sensitive and can be misused if obtained without the owner's knowledge or consent. The focus on data access was central to the caution, reflecting concern that the compromise of even a limited set of personal details could leave victims exposed to further harm.
The Hyderabad Police advisory emphasized both the platform through which the scams spread—social media—and the mechanism by which users are drawn in—fabricated videos. By combining the broad reach of social networks with deceptive content, the scammers increase the odds that unsuspecting users might encounter and engage with their traps. The warning urged citizens to remain wary of unsolicited interactions and to treat with suspicion any prompt to download applications from unverified sources.
Commissioner Sajjanar’s message, disseminated via X, reflected the police department’s effort to address the issue in a timely manner. The use of the platform allowed the warning to reach a potentially wide audience quickly. The advisory’s publication on March 17, 2026, was accompanied by media reporting that same evening, indicating an intention to ensure that the public had immediate awareness of the risks being observed. The timing emphasized the urgency associated with what was described as a surge in such scams.
The details provided in the advisory centered on how the scam operates and the kinds of data at risk. While not naming specific applications, the warning identified the types of apps being used—fake dating or video-calling services—and described the initial lure in terms of manipulated videos. This focus was intended to help citizens recognize common elements of the scheme, such as being targeted on social media, receiving enticements through fabricated content, and being urged to install unfamiliar software that requests wide-ranging permissions on a device.
Personal data exposure was a primary concern raised by the police. Contacts and photos were explicitly mentioned as information that could be accessed by the fraudulent applications once installed. The advisory underscored that gaining access to these data categories could have significant consequences for users, given their personal and potentially sensitive nature. The clear warning was designed to discourage users from installing suspicious apps that might seek access to files, media, or contact lists without clear justification.
By publicly naming the emerging pattern—AI-driven honeytraps—the Hyderabad Police placed emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence in enabling more convincing deception. The fabricated videos referenced in the advisory illustrate how AI tools can be used to produce content that appears authentic, thereby lowering users’ guard. In calling attention to this tactic, the advisory sought to equip citizens with a mental framework to identify and avoid similar enticements in their online interactions, particularly when those interactions direct them toward downloading software.
The report that covered the advisory was published on the evening of March 17, 2026, and reiterated the police’s caution to the public. It summarized the core points: a surge in AI-driven scams, the use of fabricated videos of women as bait, the push toward fake dating or video-calling apps, and the risk that these apps can access personal data such as contacts and photos. The message was straightforward: be skeptical of unsolicited approaches on social media that attempt to move the conversation to external applications and be aware of the permissions those applications request.
While the advisory conveyed the immediate warning, it did not provide additional details such as specific app names, numbers of incidents, or enforcement actions. The primary goal was to alert citizens to the observed pattern and to encourage vigilance on social media and when dealing with applications that are unfamiliar or unverified. By highlighting the risks associated with installing such apps, the Hyderabad Police aimed to reduce the likelihood of data exposure and potential downstream misuse of personal information.