Lucknow Police have registered 14 FIRs linked to cyber frauds targeting Green Gas consumers and are stepping up awareness under “Operation Digital Kavach” to prevent residents from falling victim to fake representatives, fraudulent calls, messages and malicious APK files.
The campaign will involve coordination with residential welfare associations and the use of SMS alerts, public announcements and posters to warn consumers about common fraud methods.
Why Has Police Stepped Up Action?
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kiran Yadav said the crime branch was investigating reported cases, analysing the methods used and working with Green Gas to expand consumer awareness.
The cybercrime team and Green Gas will coordinate with residential welfare associations in areas with Green Gas connections. The proposed campaign includes awareness programmes with RWAs, periodic bulk SMS alerts, loudspeaker or public announcements in residential areas, and posters and banners outside housing societies and at major intersections.
Residents have been advised to verify any communication claiming to be from Green Gas only through authorised customer-care numbers, the official app or email.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
How Are Consumers Being Targeted?
Police found that fraudsters were using information related to Green Gas consumers to identify and target victims.
Similar fraud has also been reported among Green Gas consumers in Agra, according to the crime branch.
Police cautioned that simply knowing a consumer’s name, address or Green Gas connection details does not prove that the person contacting them is a genuine company representative.
Residents have also been warned against downloading APK files received through unknown WhatsApp accounts or SMS messages.
How Does the Scam Work?
Consumers are contacted through SMS, phone calls or WhatsApp and told that their gas meter or bill has not been updated. They are then threatened with disconnection of their gas connection.
The fraudsters allegedly send an Android Package Kit, or APK, carrying names such as “Meter Update.apk” or “Green Gas Meter Update” and ask the consumer to install it to complete the supposed update.
Installing such an APK can potentially give cybercriminals remote access to the victim’s phone. That access can then be used to compromise banking-related information and siphon money from accounts.
How Is Stolen Money Being Used?
Police investigations also identified another alleged method used to move money generated through cyber fraud.
In some cases, money obtained through cyber fraud was allegedly used to pay credit-card, electricity and internet bills.
People may be offered a discount or commission to allow another person to pay their bills. The payment may then be made using cash or commission allegedly offered in return.
Police are examining these methods as part of their investigation into the movement of cyber-fraud proceeds.
What Should Green Gas Users Do?
Consumers should not act immediately on threats that their gas connection will be disconnected. Any such claim should first be verified through authorised Green Gas customer-care channels, the official app or email.
Users have been advised not to click suspicious links or install APK files sent by unknown people. They should never share OTPs, card details, CVV, PINs or banking information and should not provide screen-sharing or remote access to unknown persons.
The advisory also makes clear that knowing a customer’s name, address or connection details should not be treated as proof that a caller or message is genuine.
Where Should Cyber Fraud Be Reported?
Victims have been advised to report cyber fraud through the 1930 helpline.
Quick reporting can help bring the incident to the attention of the authorities while investigators examine the accounts, communications and other details associated with the fraud.
For the complete process of filing a cybercrime complaint online, here’s what victims need to know.
How to Report Cybercrime Online
Lost money to a cyber fraud? Here’s how the 1930 helpline works and what victims should do next.
What to Do After Losing Money to Cyber Fraud
The420 Takeaway: “A Gas Bill Warning Could Be a Door Into Your Bank Account”
The scam relies on urgency rather than an obvious hacking attempt. A message claiming that a gas meter or bill needs an immediate update can push a consumer into installing an APK that may provide criminals remote access to the phone.
Users should treat unexpected disconnection threats, APK files and requests for banking credentials or remote access as warning signs, and verify the communication through official Green Gas channels before taking any action.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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