Udupi Man Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud, Loses Over Rs 2 Lakh in Gas Service Scam
In a distressing incident of cybercrime, a 54-year-old man from Basavapura in Molahalli village, Udupi, was allegedly cheated of more than Rs 2 lakh by fraudsters impersonating officials from Mahanagar Gas Service. The case highlights the growing threat of online scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to the police complaint, Ganapathi Ramanna Shetty received a phone call on February 8, 2026. The caller claimed to be updating service details for his Mahanagar Gas connection in Mumbai and instructed him to transfer a nominal amount of Rs 12 via his debit card to complete the process. Unaware of the malicious intent, Shetty complied with the request.
Subsequent Unauthorized Transactions
After the initial payment, the fraudsters allegedly gained access to Shetty's bank account details. On February 11, 2026, Rs 45,000 was debited from one of his bank accounts. The following day, two more unauthorized withdrawals occurred: Rs 58,900 from another bank account and Rs 97,990 from a separate transaction, totaling approximately Rs 2 lakh in losses.
Police Action and Legal Framework
Based on Shetty's complaint, the Kota police have registered a case under sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. These sections pertain to identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources, emphasizing the seriousness of such cybercrimes.
Related Incident: Elderly Man Cheated of Rs 1 Lakh in YouTube Ad Scam
In a similar case, a 73-year-old man from Kota, Ramesh Mayya, was allegedly defrauded of over Rs 1 lakh after responding to an online advertisement on YouTube. He made an initial payment of Rs 17,617 on September 20, 2025, followed by another payment of Rs 90,000 on November 28, 2025, resulting in a total loss of Rs 1.07 lakh. Police have also registered a case under IT Act sections 66(C) and 66(D) for this incident.
These cases underscore the urgent need for public awareness and vigilance against cyber fraud, as scammers continue to exploit digital platforms to target vulnerable individuals.
