Mumbai Residents Targeted by Patna-Based Cyber Gang in Multi-Crore Gas Connection Scam
Cybercrime Gang Dismantled for Running Large-Scale Scam in Mumbai
A cybercrime gang operating from Patna, Bihar, has been dismantled for running a large-scale scam targeting residents of Mumbai with promises of gas connections and disconnection services.
The Scam
The scam, which is believed to have been active for nearly six months, resulted in the loss of crores of rupees for dozens of victims.
The gang, which operated from a rented flat in the New Jaganpura area of Patna, used digital platforms to identify and approach potential victims. They posed as representatives of gas agencies, offering assistance with new connections, transfers, and deactivations. In some cases, victims were told that their gas connection was about to be suspended and that immediate payment was required to keep the service active.
Modus Operandi
The accused used messaging platforms such as Telegram to contact victims and convince them to transfer money through various bank accounts or digital payment methods. The urgency created by the scammers led many people to make payments without verifying the authenticity of the request, only realizing later that they had been cheated.
Arrests and Seizures
A raid conducted by a team investigating cybercrimes resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including the alleged mastermind, Shridhar, a resident of Pune, Maharashtra. The other three accused, Gultan Yadav, Arun Mandal, and Pankaj Kumar, are residents of Madhupur in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.
During the raid, authorities seized 18 mobile phones, which are believed to contain crucial digital evidence, including communication records, financial details, and information about other victims. Technical analysis of the seized devices is currently underway to identify the wider network, potential accomplices, and bank accounts used in the fraud.
According to cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh, such fraud cases rely heavily on social engineering tactics used by cybercriminals to manipulate victims. “Cybercriminals often send urgent messages related to services such as gas, electricity, banking, or KYC updates to create panic and pressure. In such situations, many people transfer money without verifying the authenticity of the request,” he said. Singh advised individuals to always confirm any payment request through official company sources before taking action.
Prevention and Awareness
The case highlights the importance of verifying service-related messages through official channels before making online payments. Experts recommend that individuals should always check the authenticity of requests through the official website or customer helpline of the concerned company to avoid falling prey to such scams.
About Author
English