22-year-old man turns Green Gas meter update into Rs 32 lakh scam; Lucknow resident loses fortune after downloading WhatsApp APK

A WhatsApp message claiming that a Green Gas meter needed an urgent update allegedly cost a Lucknow resident nearly Rs 32 lakh. Lucknow Cyber Crime Police have arrested a 22-year-old man from Dhanbad, Jharkhand, in connection with the suspected fraud, in which consumers were reportedly tricked into downloading a fake Android application. According to a TOI report, the accused, identified as Vivek Pratap Singh, allegedly ran the operation for around six months. Investigators suspect that household-level data of Green Gas consumers was collected and used to make fraudulent messages appear genuine.

How the fake Green Gas meter update app scam allegedly worked

Police said the accused allegedly arranged for people to collect details of households with Green Gas connections. This information was then reportedly used to approach consumers with messages posing as communication from their gas service provider.

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Victims were asked to download an Android application package (APK) on the pretext of updating their gas meters. Once installed, the fraudulent app allegedly gave scammers unauthorised access to the victim's phone and exposed banking-related information.

The alleged method relied on making the message appear relevant to the recipient, using information about their household's gas connection to build trust.

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Lucknow resident loses Rs 32 lakh after installing APK received on WhatsApp

The case came to light after a Lucknow resident, Kumud Chandra Agrawal, approached the police on September 9. In his complaint, he said he had received an APK file through WhatsApp, accompanied by a message claiming that it was needed for a Green Gas meter update.

After downloading and installing the application, his phone was allegedly accessed without authorisation. The fraudsters then misused banking-related information to carry out transactions amounting to approximately Rs 32 lakh.

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Lucknow Cyber Crime Police Station under Case No. 109/2026.

Accused arrested in Dhanbad after technical investigation

According to the TOI report, Singh was arrested from the Dhanbad police station area in Jharkhand. The Lucknow Cyber Crime Police team tracked him down through a technical investigation and intelligence inputs.

Additional DCP (Cyber Crime) Kiran Yadav said investigators are looking into how the Green Gas consumer data was obtained, who was engaged to collect it and how it was used to identify potential victims.

Singh, a Class 12 graduate who was also working in the transport sector, allegedly hired people on a salary to gather household-level information about Green Gas consumers. Police are investigating the role of these individuals and whether others were involved in the operation.

Cash, mobile phones and SIM cards recovered from accused

During the arrest, police seized several items allegedly linked to the fraud. The recovery included:

• Rs 1,23,400 in cash
• Two mobile phones
• Six ATM cards
• Four Airtel Payments Bank kits
• 11 SIM cards

The accused has been brought to Lucknow for further questioning. Investigators are examining the seized devices and other material to trace the money allegedly siphoned off and establish whether the operation targeted more consumers.

How to stay safe from fake APK links sent on WhatsApp

The alleged Green Gas fraud is a reminder that messages about utility bills, meter updates and service verification can also be used to distribute malicious applications.

Consumers should keep a few precautions in mind:

• Avoid installing APK files received on WhatsApp:Do not download applications through links or files sent by unknown numbers.
• Verify meter update requests: Contact the gas service provider through its official website or customer care number before acting on any such message.
• Check app permissions: Be cautious if an application requests access to SMS, contacts, accessibility services or other sensitive phone features without a clear reason.
• Never share banking details or OTPs: A genuine utility provider should not ask for banking passwords, PINs or one-time passwords over WhatsApp.
• Report suspicious transactions immediately: Contact your bank and report cyber financial fraud through the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or the official portal, cybercrime.gov.in.

Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged fraud, including the source of the consumer data and the possible involvement of other people.