Retired banker from New Panvel duped of Rs 8 lakh in gas bill scam
Navi Mumbai: A retired banker from New Panvel lost around Rs 8 lakh to an MGL billing update scam on May 1. The 64-year-old man lodged a complaint on the NCCRP after which an FIR of cheating and common intention was registered at Khandeshwar police station on Tuesday.
On May 1, around noon, he received a message on his mobile claiming that since he had not paid the MGL bill of the previous month, the PNG supply would be disconnected. To update the bill, he was instructed to call on a mobile number provided in the message. The complainant dialled the number, but the call did not go through.
Later, between 3pm and 4pm, he received WhatsApp calls from three different numbers and the callers provided him information on how to take PNG meter reading. All of them spoke in Hindi. The last caller sent him a PDF file on a demonstration of taking a reading.
The complainant said he initially refused to open the PDF, but they told him that they were genuine MGL representatives and were providing customer service. Under pressure, he clicked on the PDF file, but it did not open. When he told the caller the file was not opening, he was told they would re-send it. But after some time, he was sent an APK file link for online payment and was told to pay Rs 10 for updating the ‘MGL’ app. The complainant tried to make the payment through internet banking by entering the user ID and password, but it failed. Suspecting something amiss, the complainant refused to make the payment and disconnected the call.
Later, between 8pm and 9pm, he received bank alerts of five transactions debiting a total of Rs 8,03,604 from his account. He then realised that he was cheated by cyber fraudsters who had remotely accessed his mobile data after he clicked on the APK file link and fraudulently debited money from his bank account.
On May 1, around noon, he received a message on his mobile claiming that since he had not paid the MGL bill of the previous month, the PNG supply would be disconnected. To update the bill, he was instructed to call on a mobile number provided in the message. The complainant dialled the number, but the call did not go through.
Later, between 3pm and 4pm, he received WhatsApp calls from three different numbers and the callers provided him information on how to take PNG meter reading. All of them spoke in Hindi. The last caller sent him a PDF file on a demonstration of taking a reading.
The complainant said he initially refused to open the PDF, but they told him that they were genuine MGL representatives and were providing customer service. Under pressure, he clicked on the PDF file, but it did not open. When he told the caller the file was not opening, he was told they would re-send it. But after some time, he was sent an APK file link for online payment and was told to pay Rs 10 for updating the ‘MGL’ app. The complainant tried to make the payment through internet banking by entering the user ID and password, but it failed. Suspecting something amiss, the complainant refused to make the payment and disconnected the call.
Later, between 8pm and 9pm, he received bank alerts of five transactions debiting a total of Rs 8,03,604 from his account. He then realised that he was cheated by cyber fraudsters who had remotely accessed his mobile data after he clicked on the APK file link and fraudulently debited money from his bank account.
Comments
Be the first to share a thought and become theFirst Voiceof this News Article
Popular from Business
- Thrice rebuffed for US visa, Sanjay Mehrotra joins Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai in the trillion-dollar club
- Bengaluru said Swalpa Adjust Maadi for too long; Casagrand Moondance on Mysore road begs to differ
- Sensex bleeding, gold volatile amid US-Iran war: Time to opt for good old FDs? Pros & cons of fixed income assets
- Moody’s flags higher risks for Indian banks from Middle East crisis as oil prices stay elevated
- HDFC Bank shares drop 2% on reports of probe regarding Rs 45 crore interest payments; bank ‘strongly rejects’ claims
end of article
Trending Stories
- Big milestone! Adani Power overtakes Infosys in market capitalisation; share rallies over 65% year-to-date
- Cabinet approves Rs 25,530 crore scheme to strengthen ration distribution system till 2031
- HDFC Bank shares drop 2% on reports of probe regarding Rs 45 crore interest payments; bank ‘strongly rejects’ claims
- Byju’s founder Raveendran sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court: Report
- Bank holiday today: Are banks open or closed on Wednesday or Thursday for Bakri Eid? Check state-wise list
- Trump’s big move hits Indians: Over 7 lakh green card seekers face uncertainty; top challenges explained
05:28 India, Canada eye 'game changer' deal; aim to triple bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030
Photostories
- How to delete stress from your life
- 7 painful truths about love and relationships people often don't talk about
- Pregnancy nutrition: Superfoods every mother-to-be should add to her plate
- Bhindi to Lauki: Why we remove the crown of these 7 everyday vegetables
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrifices
- 8 hill stations travellers should avoid during heavy monsoon in India and their safer alternatives
- 8 places in the world that look AI-generated but exist in real life and and how to visit them
- 5 classic hill stations in India that are also traffic nightmares
- The body check: What workplace stress is secretly doing to your brain, heart and sleep
- RCB reaches the IPL 2026 finale, and Virat Kohli celebrates the only way he knows – by twinning with Anushka Sharma
Up Next
Follow Us On Social Media