The text message arrives with a tone of immediacy: your gas bill is overdue; your connection will be disconnected within hours. It may contain a payment link or an instruction to download a file. In some cases, it directs customers to contact a supposed company official on WhatsApp.
For many residents in Mumbai and surrounding areas, such alerts appear plausible. Gas supply is a daily necessity, and the fear of disconnection can prompt swift action.
But according to Mahanagar Gas Limited, the city’s primary gas distributor, these messages are fraudulent.
In a public advisory, the company warned that scammers have been impersonating MGL representatives through SMS and WhatsApp, attempting to trick customers into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software on their phones.
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The Mechanics of the Scam
Company officials said customers have reported receiving messages that mimic legitimate billing alerts. Some messages pressure recipients to click on unfamiliar links, while others prompt them to download APK files — application packages used to install software on Android devices.
Cybersecurity specialists note that such APK files can contain malware capable of granting remote access to a device. Once installed, the software may harvest banking credentials, intercept one-time passwords or initiate unauthorized transactions.
The strategy relies heavily on urgency. Fraudulent messages often warn of immediate disconnection of gas supply unless payment is made promptly. In the anxiety of avoiding service disruption, some consumers comply without verifying the source.
MGL emphasized that it never asks customers to share bank details, card numbers, passwords or one-time passwords via calls or messaging platforms. Nor does it instruct users to download APK files or click on unknown links for bill-related purposes.
The Expanding Landscape of Utility Fraud
The warning comes amid a broader rise in digital impersonation scams targeting utility customers across India. As billing systems and customer service channels migrate online, fraudsters have adapted, leveraging the familiarity of routine payments to stage convincing deceptions.
Utility-based fraud schemes often follow a pattern. First, scammers obtain or guess basic customer information such as phone numbers. Then they send official-looking messages that include bill references, payment deadlines or account numbers. In some cases, they use profile pictures or logos resembling those of legitimate companies to reinforce credibility.
Authorities say such schemes are particularly effective in urban areas where digital payments are common and consumers expect electronic communication from service providers.
MGL said it has conducted awareness campaigns across various communication platforms to educate customers about digital fraud. Still, officials acknowledge that some consumers continue to fall victim to these tactics.
Official Channels and Customer Responsibility
To counter the spread of misinformation, MGL reiterated that customers should verify any suspicious communication through official contact points. The company provided its customer care numbers — (022) 68674500 and (022) 61564500 — and urged consumers to interact only with its verified WhatsApp number bearing a blue tick authentication.
In cases where financial loss has already occurred, the company advised customers to report incidents immediately to local police or cybercrime authorities. Timely reporting, law enforcement agencies say, can improve the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions before funds are dispersed across multiple accounts.
The advisory reflects a shifting responsibility in the digital age. While companies enhance official communication channels, consumers are increasingly expected to distinguish between legitimate alerts and sophisticated imitations.
For now, MGL’s message is simple: do not respond to unsolicited payment demands, do not share confidential information and verify first, especially when urgency is used as a tactic.
As utility services continue to integrate with digital platforms, the line between convenience and vulnerability remains thin — and, according to officials, constant vigilance is the only reliable safeguard.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
