According to police inputs, the scam typically begins with a call or text message from individuals claiming to be representatives of a gas agency. They warn of an impending shortage of LPG cylinders due to instability in West Asia and urge consumers to “secure” their supply through advance booking. The pitch is carefully crafted to trigger panic, suggesting that failure to act immediately could result in losing access to essential fuel.
If the recipient hesitates, the tone escalates. Scammers claim limited stock and threaten to divert supply to other customers, intensifying the pressure. Victims are then sent a link under the pretext of booking confirmation. Clicking it, however, opens the door to a range of cyber threats, including theft of personal data, banking credentials, passwords and even access to contact lists.
Authorities have reiterated that legitimate LPG agencies do not process bookings through unsolicited calls or unknown links. Consumers are strongly advised to rely only on official platforms and verified distributors for cylinder bookings. Sharing OTPs, bank details or clicking on suspicious URLs can lead to immediate financial compromise.
Law enforcement officials stress the importance of swift reporting in such cases. Victims are urged to report incidents within the first three hours, a critical window that significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions and tracing perpetrators.
The rise of such scams reflects a broader surge in cybercrime. The state recorded 18,706 cybercrime complaints in 2025, a steep increase from 12,249 in 2024 and 8,077 in 2023, underscoring how digital fraud is evolving alongside current events to exploit public vulnerability.
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