₹12 Gas Update Scam: 2 Kota Residents Fall Prey to Cyber Fraud, Lose Lakhs
Cyber Scammers Target Kota Residents with Sophisticated Tactics
Two individuals in Kota, Udupi district, have fallen prey to cyber fraud, collectively losing over ₹3 lakh in separate incidents.
Case 1: Scam through Fake Gas Company Representative
A 54-year-old man, who works in Mumbai, received a call on February 8 from a person claiming to be a representative of Mumbai Mahanagar Gas. The caller requested that the victim pay ₹12 to update the transfer of an LPG connection.
The victim made the payment using his debit card, unknowingly compromising his card details or one-time password (OTP). Subsequently, the scammers withdrew ₹45,000 from his Union Bank account on February 11, followed by ₹58,900 from his Bank of Baroda account and ₹97,990 from his Karnataka Bank account on February 12.
Case 2: Scam through Fake Investment Advertisement on YouTube
A 73-year-old man was duped by a fake investment advertisement on YouTube. The victim transferred ₹17,618 in the hope of earning returns and later sent an additional ₹90,000 on November 28, 2025.
However, when no returns were received, he realized he had been cheated and approached the police.
Police Investigation and Advisory
The police have registered cases under the Information Technology (IT) Act and are investigating the incidents.
They have urged the public to exercise caution when receiving calls claiming to be from gas, electricity, or banking services, and to never share card details or OTP, even for small payments.
Additionally, they advise against trusting investment advertisements on YouTube or social media and recommend immediately reporting suspicious transactions to the bank and cyber helpline (1930).
The investigation is ongoing, with technical evidence being examined to track down the scammers.
The incidents highlight the need for increased awareness about evolving cyber threats and the importance of vigilance in online transactions.
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