Utility Fraud Epidemic Hits Bengaluru: Cybercriminals Deploy Fake Disconnection Threats to Swindle Lakhs
In a disturbing trend sweeping through Bengaluru, cybercriminals are increasingly preying on unsuspecting citizens through sophisticated utility fraud schemes. These fraudsters impersonate officials from gas, power, and water distribution companies, employing high-pressure tactics and threats of service disconnection to cheat victims out of their hard-earned money. Despite repeated public warnings, these scams continue to succeed, highlighting the urgent need for heightened vigilance.
Bank Manager Loses Rs 1.2 Lakh in Elaborate Gas Connection Scam
A recent case involves Ashim Majumder, a 52-year-old bank manager residing on MG Road in Bengaluru. Majumder, who moved to the city about 15 months ago, has been regularly paying the minimum charges for his Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) connection at his Thane residence. On February 9, around 10 am, he received a WhatsApp message from the number 9725391945, warning that due to a pending bill, his MNGL gas connection would be disconnected by 9 pm. The message instructed him to contact 6200064951 to update the bill.
Concerned about his family's visits to Thane, Majumder called the number. The person on the other end, posing as an MNGL helpline executive, claimed the payment was not updated and sent a link asking him to install an app and pay Rs 10 to update the bill using his debit card. "I was convinced by the fraudster. I clicked on the APK file, entered my debit card details and made the payment, but the transaction failed. I then attempted another Rs 10 payment using my credit card, which also failed," Majumder recounted.
Within minutes, Rs 43,398 was debited from his debit card and Rs 73,518 from his credit card, resulting in a total loss of close to Rs 1.2 lakh. Majumder immediately blocked both cards, contacted the bank helpline, called the cyber helpline 1930, and filed a complaint with the Ashok Nagar police. Efforts to freeze the fraudsters' bank accounts are currently underway.
Similar Scam Targets Private Employee, Siphons Off Rs 1.1 Lakh
In a parallel incident, Virag Shekhar Shah, a 38-year-old private firm employee from Adugodi, fell victim to an identical scam. He received a fake WhatsApp message warning of imminent MNGL gas disconnection for his Pune residence. The fraudsters managed to siphon off Rs 1.1 lakh from his credit card.
"The fraudster had all my details such as my house address, my parents' names and the last bill paid, including amount and date. He said the bill had already been paid and asked me to click a link to update the connection," Shah explained. Although Shah believes he did not click the link after noticing it was an APK file, he suspects accidental access compromised his phone, diverting incoming calls to the fraudsters. He reported the fraud to the cyber helpline and filed a complaint with the Adugodi police.
Police Issue Stern Warning Amid Rising Cases
A senior police officer confirmed that a case has been registered under the Information Technology Act and issued a strong caution to the public. "We urge citizens to be extremely wary of urgent messages threatening service disconnections. Utility companies do not ask customers to download APK files or share personal details over WhatsApp," the officer emphasized.
Even after reporting the fraud, Shah experienced ongoing attempts to access his banking and e-commerce apps, prompting him to change his phone number. He also received a bizarre message claiming an electricity bill of Rs 6.1 lakh was pending for a residence in Jharkhand, which he does not own, indicating the fraudsters' persistent efforts.
Understanding Utility Scams: A Detailed Breakdown
Utility scams involve fraudsters pretending to be utility suppliers and contacting victims via WhatsApp or SMS. They claim there are unpaid or wrongly paid bills and threaten immediate disconnection. The scammers then send APK files that, once installed, grant them access to the victims' devices, enabling theft of sensitive information.
Modus Operandi of Utility Scams:
- Threat: A WhatsApp or SMS message warns of imminent disconnection, often within a few hours.
- Trap: Victims are told the 'system is not updated' and are sent an APK file or a link to a remote-access app.
- Theft: Once the app is installed, fraudsters gain control of the device, intercepting OTPs and banking credentials to drain accounts.
Essential Guidelines to Protect Yourself from Fraud
Dos:
- Verify: Always call the official customer care number found on your physical bill or the official website.
- Use App Stores: Download apps only from official sources like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Report: Immediately call the cyber helpline 1930 if you receive a suspicious message.
- Monitor: Regularly check your bank statements for any unauthorized transactions.
Don'ts:
- Don't Panic: Scammers use urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly; stay calm.
- No APKs: Never click on links or download files sent via WhatsApp or SMS.
- Don't Share: Never provide OTPs, PINs, or Aadhaar numbers to callers.
- Trust No ID: Remember that caller IDs and email addresses can be easily spoofed to look legitimate.
As utility fraud cases escalate in Bengaluru, it is crucial for residents to remain alert and follow these preventive measures to safeguard their finances and personal information.
