Ludhiana: Over the past few days, the West Asian conflict has upended LPG cylinder supply. However, even more than the situation itself, the apprehension of scarcity has spawned a range of malpractices, including hoarding, black-marketing and theft. The conflict has also become another alibi for cyber cons on the prowl for unsuspecting and hopefully desperate victims. In view of such cases, police have issued an advisory alerting residents to a new cyber-fraud attempt in which scammers are targeting people on the pretext of LPG cylinder booking. According to officials, cyber crooks are sending SMS messages containing links that claim to facilitate online LPG cylinder bookings. Clicking on these links may result in mobile phone hacking and financial loss. Police have urged residents to either use their existing method of booking cylinders or opt for manual booking, and to avoid trusting any unsolicited messages or links.Officials stated that cyber criminals continuously change their methods to deceive victims and have been using different themes to trick people. Ahead of the New Year, fraudulent links were circulated in the guise of festive greetings. During the wedding season, scammers sent links disguised as wedding invitations, and during Diwali, people received messages claiming to offer gift vouchers. Police said the current LPG-related scam is another attempt to exploit an ongoing public issue.Inspector Satvir Singh, SHO, cyber crime police station, said cyber crooks are sending fake text messages asking residents to click on the link provided to book LPG cylinders. He cautioned that the link is fraudulent and clicking on it could expose a person’s mobile phone to hacking, leading to the possibility of monetary loss. He added that cyber criminals may also call people, claiming they can help with cylinder booking, and ask them to press certain digits on their mobile keypad. Doing so, he warned, can result in the device being compromised.Inspector Singh advised residents not to trust any random call or message related to LPG bookings. He said people should continue using the method they have traditionally used to book their cylinders. If that method does not work, they should opt for manual booking instead. He observed that the administration has already been sharing accurate information about LPG bookings through news updates, and residents should rely on those official channels rather than unknown messages or calls.The danger of ‘helpful messages’Cybercrooks target residents with fake LPG cylinder booking links sent via SMS Clicking the fraudulent link may lead to mobile hacking and financial loss Police advise residents to continue using their existing booking method or opt for manual booking Scammers frequently change tactics — earlier used New Year greetings, wedding invitations, and Diwali gift voucher links Fraudsters now exploiting the current LPG booking issue to trap people SHO, inspector Satvir Singh warns that cyber cons may also call victims and ask them to press certain digits, which can compromise phones Residents urged not to trust random calls or messages about LPG bookings Administration already sharing authentic LPG booking details through news; residents advised to follow official information only LPG Booking Precautions Do’s — Use the old system of booking LPG cylinder which you have already been using for a while — Book LPG cylinder manually if the existing system does not work Dont’s — Do not search for new ways of booking LPG cylinder online — Do not click on random links received on a WhatsApp of SMS about cylinder booking — Do not trust people claiming to be calling from gas agencies for booking on phone ‘No shortage’Police have advised residents not to believe rumours of cylinder shortage. They assured that the administration has taken stock of LPG cylinders and stock is adequate. How APK Links Can Hack PhonesAPK files downloaded from unknown links bypass security checks used by trusted stores like Google Play Store, increasing the risk of hidden malware Hackers often package spyware, banking trojans, or ransomware inside APK files that appear to be normal apps or updates Once installed, malicious APKs can request access to contacts, messages, camera, microphone, and storage, allowing attackers to steal personal data How APK Files Harm Some malware in APK files can read SMS messages, intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), and access banking or payment apps Certain APK-based malware allows attackers to remotely control the phone, install additional apps, or send messages without the user’s knowledge Personal photos, documents, login credentials, and location data can be secretly transmitted to the attacker’s server Fraudulent APK links are often circulated through messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to trick users into installing them Persistent infection: Some malicious APKs hide themselves by changing icons or running as system services, making them difficult for users to detect or remove.
