Bhubaneswar: Odisha police have urged citizens to remain vigilant against cyber fraudsters out to exploit public anxiety over the ongoing LPG cylinder crisis, stemming from the West Asia war.Officials warned that scammers are circulating suspicious links and making fraudulent calls, posing as gas agency representatives, to trick people into sharing sensitive information.“Though we have not received any specific complaints, we have come across fraudulent messages linked to LPG availability,” said crime branch SP Smit Parmar.With LPG availability becoming a subject of widespread speculation, the timely warning is aimed at protecting citizens from falling prey to scams.According to police, rumours of LPG shortages are being weaponised by cyber criminals to bait unsuspecting users. Once victims click on malicious links or download files sent via messaging platforms, their personal and banking details risk being compromised.“Fraudsters may claim that immediate verification or registration is required to secure a cylinder, pushing victims to interact with harmful content,” the SP said.Police authorities specifically cautioned against opening or downloading files with the “apk” extension. These Android application package files can install malicious apps on mobile phones, giving criminals access to passwords, banking details and one-time passwords (OTPs).“Such breaches can lead to direct financial losses as fraudsters siphon money from compromised accounts. We advise citizens to verify information only through official gas agency channels and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown callers,” said crime branch SP Smit Parmar.The police emphasised that any suspicious activity — whether calls, links, or messages — should be reported immediately to the cyber crime helpline (1930) or the nearest police station.In a post on X, Jharsuguda district SP Gundala Reddy Raghavendra sensitised the citizens with a short awareness graphic. The content explained how scammers exploit panic by urging people to click on links related to gas booking or supply confirmation. The message highlighted the importance of skepticism and vigilance in the face of such tactics.Officials said that cyber safety is crucial during times of public concern. “Do not click on unknown links and report any suspicious activity immediately. Prevention is the best defence against digital fraud,” Parmar said.
