Mumbai: Residents of New Diamond Palace on Chappal Lane in Santacruz West had a narrow escape from becoming victims of a piped gas scam after receiving calls from fraudsters posing as Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) officials and urging them to download a malicious APK file for “new piped gas registration”.The residents had applied for new gas meters around a month ago, completed formalities and paid the required fees to MGL. They were therefore alarmed when callers appeared to have access to their personal details and application information. The fraudsters not only called the applicants, but also sent APK files and, in some cases, made video and WhatsApp calls to persuade them to install the file.Purav Shah, a resident, said the caller asked him to check a WhatsApp message, update his consumer number, and open an APK file. “He insisted that I open the file and even said he would help me on a video call. He then made a WhatsApp call and asked me to share my screen. The file got downloaded, but I did not install it,” Shah said.Another resident, Chetan Rathod, said the society had applied for gas meters a month ago after pipeline work was completed. “A representative had collected all our applications and submitted them. We had paid the money to MGL and were told the gas connection would start within 15 days. What is worrying is that the callers seemed to know details from our applications,” he said.Aashin Shah, also a resident, alleged that “it was a breach of residents’ database shared with MGL staffers”. Shah further said he contacted the MGL helpline and was told it was a clear case of fraud. “We were informed that MGL only communicates through SMS and never sends APK files for download. This points to a possible breach somewhere in the backend processing chain,” he added.A senior MGL official told TOI on Friday that the company “strictly adheres to data privacy guidelines for maintaining customer data.” However, any breach noticed is investigated. Such APK-based fraud linked to piped gas connections has become rampant in the city, with over 100 cases reported recently. The surge comes amid a sharp rise in demand for domestic piped natural gas connections, with MGL adding over 33,000 new connections in March compared with around 16,000 in February.“MGL has been sensitising customers through various communication channels to remain cautious about fraudulent messages, links, and other suspicious digital activities. MGL has also shared with cyber police the list of suspicious phone numbers through which such fraudulent calls/ messages are received by our customers, and they are also investigating the same,” said a MGL spokesperson.Additionally, to safeguard customers who are applying for new PNG connections, MGL has introduced and publicised the Zero Upfront Cost Registration Scheme. Customers are specifically advised to not make payments to plumbers, Direct Marketing Agents, Salespersons at the time of registration. All applicable charges can be paid on the MGL website in case of online registrations or will be sought by MGL post registration through an official request / bill.MGL officials reiterated that the company never calls applicants back for such registrations, never sends APK files and does not ask consumers to share screens or install apps. They said suspicious messages and calls should be verified only through official channels.
