The Lucknow Police Crime Branch has warned residents about a cyber fraud campaign in which scammers are impersonating Green Gas officials and sending fake messages containing malicious APK files.
The warning comes after the police received more than 50 complaints linked to the scam. Officials said fraudsters are contacting consumers through WhatsApp, SMS and phone calls, claiming that their gas connection could be disconnected over an unpaid or outdated bill.
Victims are then asked to urgently update their bill, meter, KYC or connection details. In some cases, scammers allegedly send APK files and persuade recipients to download or install them, potentially exposing personal and banking information.
Police said the fraudulent messages misuse the name and identity of Green Gas Private Limited to appear genuine. Recipients may also be given a fake officer’s name and phone number and instructed to make immediate contact.
The Crime Branch has advised people who receive such APK files not to open or install them. Anyone who has already installed a suspicious file should disconnect the device from the internet and take immediate security measures.
Police have also asked citizens not to delete suspicious messages. Instead, they should preserve the messages, take screenshots and share the sender’s number and other details with the Crime Branch’s cybercrime helpline.
Officials said such information can help investigators trace individual fraudsters and identify wider cybercrime networks.
