Navi Mumbai Woman Defrauded of Rs 4.6 Lakh in Elaborate Gas Bill Cyber Scam
A 54-year-old woman residing in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing a substantial sum of Rs 4.6 lakh to criminals impersonating officials from Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL). An First Information Report (FIR) was officially registered on Wednesday, marking a serious escalation in digital financial crimes targeting unsuspecting citizens.
How the Deceptive Scam Unfolded
The elaborate fraud began on February 18 when the victim received a WhatsApp message that appeared to originate from MGL. The message falsely claimed that her gas bill had not been updated and warned that the PNG (Piped Natural Gas) supply to her residence would be disconnected within just two hours if immediate action was not taken.
The fraudulent communication included specific contact details, directing her to reach out to an individual identified as Devesh Joshi to resolve the purported issue. Upon contacting the provided mobile number, the person on the other end convincingly posed as a senior MGL official.
The Technical Manipulation and Financial Loss
When the woman informed the fraudster that her gas bill payment was actually up-to-date, he instructed her to send a screenshot as proof. Subsequently, he sent her a link to download an APK file, claiming it was necessary for securely transmitting the details.
Unbeknownst to the victim, this file was malicious. While she was uploading her information, the cybercriminal successfully hacked her mobile device, gaining remote access to her sensitive data. This unauthorized access allowed the fraudster to illicitly debit funds directly from her bank account.
The victim only realized the severity of the situation when she began receiving multiple bank alerts notifying her of the unauthorized transactions. She immediately contacted her bank, where officials confirmed that she had been targeted by cyber fraudsters in a well-orchestrated scam.
A Pattern of Similar Frauds in the Region
This incident is not isolated. In a strikingly similar case reported last September, a 71-year-old man from Koparkhairane, Navi Mumbai, lost a staggering Rs 12 lakh to fraudsters using an identical modus operandi.
In that instance, the elderly victim also received a message from an unidentified scammer threatening disconnection of his PNG pipeline due to alleged non-payment. These repeated incidents highlight a concerning trend of cybercriminals exploiting utility bill payments to deceive and defraud residents, particularly targeting vulnerable demographics.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited digital communications, especially those demanding immediate action or involving downloads from unverified sources. The Navi Mumbai police are actively investigating the latest case to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further financial losses.
