Trader Loses ₹1.30 Lakh After Fraudster Poses As Adani Gas Employee In Ahmedabad
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A 44-year-old trader with a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) degree was allegedly duped of ₹1.30 lakh after a cyber fraudster posed as an Adani Gas employee and claimed that his gas bill had not been updated.
The accused allegedly sent the victim a WhatsApp message threatening to disconnect his gas connection and subsequently got him to install an APK file on his phone. After the victim entered his credit and debit card details to make the alleged bill payment, ₹1.30 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account in two transactions, police said.
The victim has lodged a complaint at Maninagar Police Station.
Fake WhatsApp Message Warned of Connection Disconnection
The complainant, Jitendra Narandas Tulsiyani, 44, lives near the Bhairavnath BRTS stand in Maninagar and runs an online jewellery business.
According to the complaint, Tulsiyani received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number on September 6 claiming that his Adani Gas bill had not been updated and that his gas connection would be disconnected at 10 pm.
When he contacted the number provided in the message, the person allegedly identified himself as ‘Shrikant Mishra’, an Adani Gas employee.
APK File Installed on Pretext of Bill Payment
The accused allegedly sent an APK file to Tulsiyani, claiming it was required to pay the gas bill and maintenance charges.
After installing the file, an application carrying the Adani Gas logo reportedly opened on his phone.
Tulsiyani allegedly attempted to make the payment using his ICICI Bank credit and debit cards, but the transaction showed an error.
₹1.30 Lakh Debited in Two Transactions
Sensing something was wrong, Tulsiyani disconnected the call and contacted the Adani Gas helpline directly. He was reportedly informed that there was no outstanding bill on his account and that he was being targeted by fraudsters.
By then, however, two transactions totalling ₹1.30 lakh had been carried out from his bank account.
The trader immediately contacted the 1930 cybercrime helpline and reported the incident.
Maninagar Police Begin Probe
Following the complaint, Maninagar Police registered a case and launched an investigation into the alleged cyber fraud.
Police are examining the APK application, transaction details, phone numbers and other digital evidence to identify those involved.
