Cyber fraudsters posing as reps of gas agencies sending fake LPG booking links: Police

Agra/Dehradun: Amid scramble for LPG cylinders due to West Asia war, several people from parts of the country have reported receiving suspicious calls and links related to LPG booking on their mobile phones, prompting local authorities to issue strict warnings and advisories. Posing as representatives of gas agencies, cyber fraudsters have started taking advantage of the crisis, trying to extract sensitive information such as bank details from residents, police said.According to police, such incidents were reported largely from UP and Uttarakhand, among other places. Cyber criminals are calling people over the phone to "confirm" LPG bookings, police said, adding that in certain instances, callers asked residents to share OTPs, insisting that it is required to confirm delivery of the cylinder within 24 hours.Agra DCP (cyber crime) Aditya (goes by first name) said, "Police received information about such fake calls and urged residents to remain extra vigilant. People should book LPG cylinders only through authorised phone numbers, official apps, or company websites. They should not open unknown links or share OTPs with anyone. Victims of cyber fraud should immediately report to the cybercrime helpline at '1930' or their nearest police station."On Monday, the Uttarakhand special task force (STF) also issued an advisory. SSP (STF) Ajai Singh said, "Fraudsters are taking advantage of the current LPG shortage in the country. We received information that they are sending links with malware while falsely claiming to be representatives of gas agencies. Through SMS and WhatsApp, they're sending links and promising LPG delivery within 24 hours. If opened (those links), one could lose confidential bank and other personal details."In Agra, Prakash, who resides on Fatehabad Road, said he received a call from an unknown person on Saturday posing as a gas agency rep. "The man told me that I'd booked an LPG cylinder and sent a WhatsApp link, saying that I would soon receive an OTP message and I should share it with him to confirm the booking. Since I did not book any LPG cylinder, I suspected fraud and disconnected the call," he said.Tajganj resident Saurabh Chaurasia said a caller first asked for his name and address for KYC verification before demanding bank details. Several others reported receiving similar calls.Meanwhile, in view of concerns over the misuse and irregular distribution of domestic and commercial LPG cylinders, the district administration in Mohali has intensified monitoring of the supply system across the district.Deputy commissioner Komal Mittal said food and civil supplies dept officials were deployed as vigil officers to keep a close watch on LPG agencies. These officers will conduct regular inspections and verification drives to ensure that the distribution of cylinders is carried out strictly according to prescribed norms.Mittal further directed all LPG distributors, delivery staff and other concerned stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the inspection teams. She also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in diversion, hoarding, or misuse of LPG cylinders.(With inputs from Mohali)