With rise in complaints of ‘green gas meter update’ cyber fraud, the Lucknow Crime Branch on Tuesday launched a special public awareness campaign against a new cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate Green Gas representatives and send malicious APK files to consumers on the pretext of updating gas meters or bills.
Victims are told their meter or bill has not been updated and are threatened with disconnection unless they act immediately. Investigators also found that fraudsters appear to be using available consumer details to target specific Green Gas users, with similar attempts reported in Agra.
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. 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. 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.