A new method of cyber fraud involving gas connections and bill updates has emerged in Ghaziabad, where around 30 consumers with piped natural gas (PNG) connections have allegedly fallen victim to cybercriminals over the past six months. The victims have reportedly lost nearly ₹2 crore in total combined losses.
How the Scam Typically Unfolds
Fraudsters are contacting consumers through phone calls and messages, claiming their gas bills haven't been updated, payments are pending, or their connections are about to be disconnected — then using that manufactured urgency to carry out financial fraud. The fraudsters allegedly introduce themselves as employees or representatives of gas companies, opening the conversation by pointing out a supposed problem with the consumer's connection or bill.
They then ask victims to complete a verification or payment process, and in several cases, consumers were allegedly persuaded to download APK files or install suspicious applications. Fraudsters have also used screen-sharing tools to gain access to victims' mobile devices, facilitating unauthorised transactions straight from their bank accounts.
A Victim's Account: Five Transactions, Gone
In one case, Pramod Kumar, a resident of Vijay Nagar, received a message on August 6 purportedly from Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), warning that his gas connection could be disconnected because his bill hadn't been updated. When Pramod contacted the number provided in the message, the alleged fraudster explained a supposed bill-update procedure and instructed him to download an application. Once installed, the accused allegedly gained access to his mobile device and transferred money from his bank account through five separate transactions.
A Second Case: ₹8 Lakh Withdrawn Before He Could Stop It
Another consumer, Sanjay Kumar, a resident of the Ora Chimera Society in Raj Nagar Extension, reportedly faced a similar ordeal. According to his complaint, he received a message on May 24 warning that his IGL connection would be disconnected. When he contacted the number mentioned in the message, the alleged caller told him he needed to deposit an outstanding amount to restore the connection. The fraudsters subsequently sent an APK file through WhatsApp from a different number, allegedly instructing him to install it on his phone.
Sanjay installed the APK file, but the fraudsters were initially unable to transfer money from his account. They then allegedly asked him to share his mobile screen, and once screen sharing was enabled, the process of withdrawing money from his bank account reportedly began. When Sanjay received a message showing ₹2 lakh had been withdrawn, he grew suspicious and immediately blocked his debit card — but by then, a total of ₹8 lakh had already been withdrawn from his account.
Why This Scam Works: Everyday Anxiety, Weaponised
These cases indicate that cybercriminals are increasingly relying on social engineering rather than simply trying to obtain OTPs or banking passwords outright. Everyday concerns like gas bills, connection updates, and the possibility of service disconnection are being used to create genuine urgency, pressuring victims into taking immediate action without pausing to verify. APK files, fake applications, and screen-sharing tools then facilitate unauthorised access and financial transactions once that initial trust is established.
Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly warned that this kind of fraud becomes far more effective when victims act immediately on instructions from unknown callers. Any message claiming to be from a gas company should be independently verified through the company's official website, app, or customer service channel — never through a number provided in the suspicious message itself. Consumers should never download an APK file sent by an unknown person, or allow an unfamiliar caller to control or view their mobile screen.
What Ghaziabad Police Are Advising
Ghaziabad police have advised consumers to remain particularly cautious about messages related to gas bill updates. APK files received in the name of bill verification or connection restoration should never be installed, and consumers should never share OTPs, UPI PINs, ATM details, passwords, or other banking information with unknown callers under any circumstances. Any genuine issue concerning a gas connection should only be addressed through the company's authorised communication channels.
If someone does fall victim to cyber fraud, the incident should be reported immediately by calling the national cybercrime helpline 1930. Prompt reporting can significantly improve the chances of placing a hold on fraudulent transactions or freezing the recipient accounts before the money moves further. Police are currently examining mobile numbers, bank accounts, and digital transaction records associated with the reported cases to trace the flow of money and determine whether a larger cybercrime network is operating behind this fraud pattern.
FAQs
Q1. How are fraudsters approaching victims in this gas bill scam?
Fraudsters send messages claiming to be from gas companies like IGL, warning about pending bills or connection disconnection, then guide victims to install APK files or enable screen sharing to access their bank accounts.
Q2. How much money have Ghaziabad consumers lost to this scam?
Around 30 consumers have allegedly lost nearly ₹2 crore combined over the past six months through this fake gas bill fraud method.
Q3. What should consumers do if they receive a suspicious gas bill message?
Consumers should independently verify any message through the gas company's official website or customer service channel, and should never install APK files or share their mobile screen with unknown callers.