Scammers try to take advantage during this Navratri season:Lure users through social media ads of ‘Rent a garba partner’; know how to stay safe

These days, preparations for garba and dandiya are in full swing across the country. Meanwhile, several posts titled ‘Rent a Garba Partner’ are going viral on social media. They claim to offer dancing, photographs, reels, and outings with a garba partner. These offers, available under Silver, Gold and Platinum packages, are priced between ₹1,000 and ₹6,000. It may sound interesting. But can these offers really be trusted? Recently, Ahmedabad Cyber Police warned people about posts appearing on social media under the name ‘Rent a Garba Partner’. That is why, today in ‘Cyber Literacy’, we will discuss scams carried out in the name of ‘Rent a Garba Partner’. We will also learn- Expert – Rahul Mishra, Cybersecurity Adviser, Uttar Pradesh Police Question: What is ‘Rent a Garba Partner’? How did this trend start on social media? Answer: Understand it through these pointers: How did the trend start? Question: What is actually being offered to people in these posts? Answer: These posts claim to offer partner bookings for garba or dandiya. Several types of facilities are also being offered along with them. Some posts divide these into packages such as Silver, Gold and Platinum. The facilities included are: Question: Why is the cyber police calling this a scam, and why are people being advised to remain cautious? Answer: According to the cyber police, fraudsters may use these viral posts to lure people with fake offers and scam them. Understand this through the graphic below: Question: How can scammers cheat people in the name of a Garba partner? Answer: Scammers can target people in different ways- Question: How can you tell the difference between a genuine offer and a fraudulent one? Answer: Genuine offers generally provide clear information about the organiser, company, or service provider. Fraudulent offers, on the other hand, contain incomplete information and pressure people to send money hurriedly. See the difference between genuine and fraudulent offers in the graphic. Question: What precautions are necessary to avoid fraud? Answer: Keep a few things in mind while making a booking. See all the necessary precautions in the graphic. Let us now understand this in detail: Verify the profile Be cautious of links and apps Do Not Share Personal Details Do Not Rush to Send Money Do not send photos or videos Be cautious when meeting Question: Is it right to consider every verified account trustworthy? Answer: No, not every verified account is safe. In fact, an account’s verified status does not guarantee that an offer or service is safe and genuine. Question: Is having a large number of followers alone a guarantee of trustworthiness? Answer: No, followers may be fake or purchased. Therefore, verify the identity of the person or organisation and the details of the offer separately before using the service. Question: Can an account’s authenticity be determined from its comments and likes? Answer: No, do not consider them proof of trustworthiness. They can also be artificially inflated. Question: Why do people trust viral posts more? Answer: When people see a high number of views, likes, shares, and comments, they feel that the post is trustworthy. In psychology, this is called ‘social proof’. In other words, when a large number of people appear to show interest in something, we too begin to perceive it as genuine or popular. Cyber fraudsters exploit this trust. Question: Scammers become more active during festivals. Apart from garba scams, what other kinds of scams can occur at this time? Answer: During festivals, cybercriminals can commit fraud through fake shopping offers, tickets, deliveries and payment requests. See some common scams in the graphic: Question: If fraud has occurred and you have sent the money, what steps should you take immediately? Answer: Understand this through the following pointers: Question: How can a complaint be filed on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal? Answer: Here is an explanation in pointers: Question: Which screenshots should you keep ready while filing a complaint? Answer: Make sure to keep the following screenshots safe: Question: What difference can it make if there is a delay in filing a complaint? Answer: Here are the key points: Therefore, it is essential to report cyber fraud immediately after discovering it.