Maha Cyber launches campaign with Ameesha Patel to warn against dating app scam

In a decisive move to combat a rising form of cyber-enabled financial fraud, Maharashtra Cyber has launched a hard-hitting public awareness campaign featuring Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel. The initiative comes amid a surge in cases where individuals, particularly men, are being lured via dating apps into visiting clubs and lounges, only to be slapped with exorbitant bills and coerced into paying under duress.

The viral campaign video, widely circulated on social media and posted on the official X handle of Maharashtra Cyber, sees Ameesha Patel don the avatar of a police officer to issue a stark warning. Speaking in Hindi, she breaks down how these scams unfold: fraudsters connect with victims through dating platforms, arrange to meet at specific high-end venues, and then trap them with inflated charges, sometimes accompanied by threats or blackmail.

“Not every club plays music. Some are planned for blackmail. Beware of sextortion,” reads the punchline of the campaign, driving home the seriousness of the threat.

The campaign is part of Maharashtra Cyber’s broader strategy to tackle evolving digital crimes and to educate the public on protecting themselves online. By enlisting a well-known film personality and using a direct, relatable message, the initiative seeks to cut through digital clutter and reach users at risk, especially young people and dating app users.

Maharashtra Cyber has urged anyone who finds themselves trapped in such situations not to panic, not to pay, and crucially, not to share personal or financial information. Victims or those suspecting fraud are encouraged to immediately contact the cybercrime helpline at 1945.

The campaign marks a crucial step in proactive policing and cyber hygiene promotion, as digital dating and social interactions become increasingly common, and increasingly targeted by criminals.