Amid concerns of a potential LPG cylinder shortage in Rajasthan, cyber fraudsters are exploiting the situation to deceive residents. The Cyber Crime Branch in the state has issued a warning following a surge in online scams related to gas bookings and subsidies. Fraudsters are employing various tactics, including creating fake LPG booking websites, posing as gas agency officials over calls, and sending fraudulent messages to steal sensitive information.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Cyber Crime, Shantanu Kumar Singh, highlighted that scammers are using a combination of social engineering and technical deception to prey on consumers. They are resorting to tactics like threatening service disconnection or subsidy suspension unless individuals provide their KYC details. Additionally, fraudulent SMS and WhatsApp messages redirecting users to phishing links have been flagged as well.
The police have also cautioned against downloading remote access applications like AnyDesk and TeamViewer, which enable criminals to take control of victims’ devices. Moreover, citizens are being warned about QR code scams where they are tricked into scanning codes under false pretenses of receiving payments. It is emphasized that scanning QR codes or entering PINs is unnecessary to receive money.
To safeguard against such scams, the Cyber Crime Branch advises residents to use only official platforms for LPG-related services and refrain from sharing sensitive information like OTPs, bank details, or Aadhaar numbers. They also urge caution regarding unsolicited calls and messages that create a sense of urgency. Users conducting digital payments through apps like Google Pay and PhonePe are reminded to verify recipient details before finalizing transactions.
In the event of falling victim to fraud, citizens are encouraged to report incidents promptly by contacting the national cybercrime helpline 1930, reaching out to the Cyber Helpdesk, or lodging complaints on the official portal. Timely reporting is stressed as crucial in enhancing the chances of recovering lost funds and preventing further cybercrimes.
