Lucknow: Amid a surge in complaints of ‘green gas meter update’ cyber fraud, Lucknow Crime Branch on Tuesday launched a special public awareness campaign targeting a scam in which criminals impersonate Green Gas representatives and send malicious APK files to consumers on the pretext of updating gas meters or bills.The campaign is being conducted under Operation Digital Kavach. Despite repeated advisories, multiple cases have been reported in the city, with losses running into crores of rupees, Crime Branch officials said. DCP (Crime) Anil Kumar Yadav said Crime Branch is coordinating with Green Gas to expand outreach among consumers in view of the seriousness of the fraud.Cyber Crime Cell and the company will work with Residential Welfare Associations (RWAs) in localities with Green Gas connections. Planned measures include awareness drives with RWAs, bulk SMS alerts, loudspeaker announcements and banners and posters at residential societies and major intersections.“Consumers will be repeatedly advised to verify information only through authorised customer-care numbers, the official app and email, and never to install APK files received through unknown WhatsApp messages or SMSes,” Yadav said.According to investigators, cybercriminals contact consumers through SMS, phone calls or WhatsApp, posing as company staff. Victims are told their meter or bill has not been updated and are threatened with disconnection unless they act immediately. Fraudsters then send APK files with names such as “Meter Update.apk” or “Green Gas Meter Update” and instruct users to install them. Crime Branch said such apps can provide remote access to a phone, enabling theft of banking credentials and unauthorised withdrawals. Investigators also found that fraudsters appear to be using available consumer details to target specific Green Gas users, with similar attempts reported in Agra. Police cautioned that knowing a consumer’s name, address or connection details does not prove a caller is genuine, and urged independent verification through official channels. Residents were asked not to forward suspicious files or links and to educate senior citizens and family members.Separately, Crime Branch warned against facilitating bill payments using suspected cybercrime proceeds, saying some people are lured with commissions to receive and transfer funds.
