Gas KYC Cyber Frauds Rising, Public Urged to Stay Alert: Hyderabad CP Sajjanar

Hyderabad, Mar 14 (TNT): Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar on Saturday cautioned the public against a surge in cyber frauds being carried out in the name of gas connection KYC updates and emergency gas bookings.
He warned that criminals are exploiting gas cylinder shortages to steal money from unsuspecting customers.
In a release, the senior police officer said fraudsters are sending links through WhatsApp and SMS asking users to update their gas connection KYC.
He warned that clicking on such unverified links or downloading APK files sent by unknown persons can give cybercriminals full access to mobile phones, enabling them to intercept bank OTPs and confidential messages.
Referring to a recent incident in Dombivli area of Maharashtra, he said cybercriminals posing as representatives of a reputed gas company contacted two women and asked them to urgently update their gas connection details. They sent an APK file through WhatsApp and asked them to download it and fill in the details. Soon after the app was installed, ₹4 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn from their bank accounts, the Commissioner said.
He also warned people not to fall for fake advertisements on social media promising instant cylinder deliveries or additional cylinders, stressing that any message demanding advance payment for gas supply should be treated as cyber fraud.
Advising caution, Sajjanar urged the public not to share bank details, OTPs or UPI PINs with unknown persons and to use only official apps or websites of authorised gas companies for bookings or KYC updates.
In case of any doubts, consumers should approach their respective gas agency offices directly, he added.
He said victims of such cyber frauds should immediately contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or lodge a complaint on the Centre’s portal cybercrime.gov.in.
TNT TS