Lucknow: At least 45 Green Gas Ltd consumers have approached the cyber cell with complaints of cyber fraud, in which fraudsters posing as company representatives sent malicious APK files on the pretext of bill updates, meter or KYC verification, and connection renewal.Under Operation Digital Kavach, Lucknow Police Crime Branch has issued an advisory warning residents against installing APK files received through WhatsApp, SMS or phone calls in the name of Green Gas Ltd.According to police, fraudsters contact consumers and threaten to disconnect their piped-gas connections over allegedly unpaid bills or bills that have not been updated. They then send files such as “Meter Update.apk” and persuade victims to install them. Once installed, these malicious applications can give cybercriminals unauthorised access to sensitive information and mobile activity, including SMSes, OTPs, banking details and other personal data, which can then be exploited for financial fraud.DCP (Crime Branch) Anil Kumar Yadav said preserving digital evidence was crucial and appealed to citizens to share suspicious WhatsApp messages, SMSes or phone numbers with the police, as these could provide important leads in identifying the cybercriminals and tracing their network.“People’s cooperation is equally important. If you receive such a fraudulent message, do not delete it. Forward the message, along with the mobile number from which it was received, to the Crime Branch Organised Crime Helpline,” he said.
