In a recent cyber fraud incident in Pune, fraudsters posing as officials of a piped gas company duped a city-based builder of Rs 2.55 lakh by claiming that the builder had not paid pending dues for piped gas. The Cantonment police registered a case of cheating on Sunday after verifying the complaint.
Details of the Fraud
According to the police, the incident occurred on May 8. The builder's office has a gas connection used for preparing tea and snacks for the staff. The complainant, an administrative officer of the construction company and a resident of Yevalewadi, received a message from the fraudsters stating that the gas bill had not been paid.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The admin officer clicked on the link provided in the message, which led to a form that claimed to facilitate payment of pending dues. She filled in the details and used the company’s debit card to pay the bill. However, the link was actually connected to a remote access software, allowing the suspects to take control of her debit card. The fraudsters then siphoned off Rs 2.55 lakh from the account.
Police Investigation
The Cantonment police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. They have advised citizens to be cautious of such fraudulent messages and to verify the authenticity of any payment requests before clicking on links.
