Pune cyber police have warned residents against social media advertisements offering rented garba partners during Navratri, saying the promotions could be used to collect advance payments or steal confidential banking information.
The advertisements, reportedly circulating on Instagram and Facebook, promise companionship at dandiya and garba events, traditional clothing, dance lessons, photographs, Instagram reels and other services. Some of the promotional packages are priced between ₹1,000 and ₹5,000. Police have urged residents not to treat the offers as genuine without verification and not to transfer money through UPI to unknown accounts.
According to the report, the advertisements target people who plan to attend garba events alone. Some posts reportedly use phrases encouraging users to book a partner in advance, while offering different durations and services. The packages described in the promotions include two to four hours of companionship, help with garba steps, posed photographs and video content. Higher-priced packages allegedly promise longer companionship and assistance after the event.
Senior Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde of the Pune Cyber Police Station said criminals regularly develop new methods connected to festivals and public celebrations. She cautioned young people against responding to such offers, stating that the advertisements could be part of an online fraud method.
The reported fraud pattern involves fake social media profiles attracting interested users before asking for a booking fee or advance payment through UPI. After receiving the money, fraudsters may block the user and disappear, according to the warning. In some cases, they may send a link claiming to confirm the booking or verify the payment. Clicking on such links could expose passwords, banking details and other confidential information.
The warning comes as large numbers of people attend Navratri and dandiya events across Pune and Maharashtra. The combination of crowded venues, festival spending and social-media-based introductions creates opportunities for unknown accounts to approach users with attractive but unverified offers. Police have also cautioned residents against meeting unknown individuals contacted online at late-night events without taking appropriate safety precautions.
Residents have been advised not to pay advance booking charges to unverified profiles, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links received through direct messages and never share bank passwords or other confidential financial information. Anyone who suspects an online fraud attempt or encounters a suspicious account should report it to the cyber police. People who have already lost money have been advised to contact the local cyber police department or file a complaint through the national cybercrime reporting portal.
The police warning does not establish that every advertisement offering festival companionship is fraudulent. It specifically asks residents to verify the identity and service before making any payment or sharing personal information. The immediate precaution is to avoid advance transfers and treat requests for financial or banking details as suspicious.
