Pune: Garba Partners For Hire? Police Flag Online Ads, Warn Youngsters Of Cyber Fraud
Pune, 12th October 2026: With colourful outfits, dandiya beats, selfies and social media reels adding to the appeal of garba during Navratri, advertisements offering rental partners for the festivities have begun circulating online. Police have cautioned youngsters against falling for such offers, warning that they could be a front for cyber fraud.
Over the past few days, advertisements offering male and female garba partners have appeared on social media, featuring Silver, Gold and Platinum packages priced at Rs 1,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000. The offers claim to provide partners for two hours, four hours or an entire night, with matching outfits, dandiya arrangements, selfies and reels included in the packages.
However, there is no assurance that the people featured in these advertisements actually exist, that the contact numbers are genuine or that the promised services will be delivered after payment.
Potential frauds include collecting advance payments and then disconnecting contact, demanding money under the pretext of registration or booking, and using fake links to obtain banking details.
Police have also warned that youngsters drawn to attractive profiles, photographs and contact numbers could end up sharing personal information, exposing themselves to financial fraud, misuse of photographs, privacy violations and risks to their personal safety.
Authorities have urged people not to trust social media advertisements or make payments solely on the basis of attractive profiles and package offers. Users should verify the authenticity of such services and avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing sensitive personal and banking details.
