Kolkata Police has issued a warning regarding potential online scams exploiting the West Asia situation and its impact on gas supplies. The cybercrime division of the city police revealed instances of citizens receiving suspicious phone calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages related to this issue. Fraudsters are posing as Central government officials to contact LPG customers, falsely claiming violations in gas booking rules and threatening penalties.
Consumers who fall prey to these tactics are instructed to click on a link and fill out an online form, granting fraudsters access to their mobile data. Subsequently, the scammers proceed to withdraw money from the victims’ bank accounts. Another fraudulent scheme involves enticing consumers with promises of receiving LPG cylinders quickly through a lottery, prompting them to provide personal information via links or WhatsApp.
Individuals who encounter such deceptive calls or messages are advised to ignore them and promptly inform local authorities. It is crucial not to click on unfamiliar links or disclose personal and financial details to unknown sources. The public is urged to remain vigilant, with cybercrime units across police stations on high alert.
