Pune: Four duped of Rs 15 lakhs in MNGL scam

Despite MNGL’s warnings, four cases have been reported, resulting in a total of Rs 15.23 lakh stolen. Complaints have been registered at Deccan, Sahakarnagar, and Yerwada police stations.

29 June 2024

A new scam targeting Pune residents has come to the fore. As per information, fraudsters posing as representatives of Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) are asking the customers to download a mobile link and threatening to disconnect the gas supply if payment isn’t made. Despite MNGL’s warnings, four cases have been reported, resulting in a total of Rs 15.23 lakh stolen. Complaints have been registered at Deccan, Sahakarnagar, and Yerwada police stations.

A 58-year-old resident of Malti Madhav Apartment filed a complaint against unknown individuals at Deccan police sections under IPC sections 420 and 34 and IT Act sections 66C and 66D. The fraudster contacted her online and via WhatsApp, pretending that her last month’s MNGL bill was overdue and warned her that the gas connection will be disconnected if not paid. After gaining trust, the fraudsters obtained her credit card information and cheated her of Rs 6,31,327 on June 13.

Similarly, a 62-year-old resident of Gangateerth Society in Aranyeshwar, Sahakarnagar, has filed a complaint against an unknown person. The fraudster, pretending to be from MNGL, threatened to disconnect the gas connection if the bill was not paid and instructed him to download an app. After downloading the app, the accused gained control of the mobile phone. They withdrew Rs 5,95,000 from his account using his online banking app. After noticing the fraudulent transactions on June 15 a complaint was fined.

Similarly, a 6-year-old resident from Hari Ganga Society in Phule Nagar, Yerwada, filed a complaint with the Yerwada police station. Cyber thieves contacted Tripathi via phone and online, claiming technical issues with his MNGL gas connection and overdue bills. They took his Canara Bank credit card information and fraudulently withdrew Rs 1,77,484 during online transactions on June 20.

Also, a 72-year-old resident in Model Colony was robbed by cyber thieves who claimed his gas bill was not updated and instructed him to download a mobile app. The thieves obtained his ATM card information and withdrew Rs 1,20,000 from his bank account. 

Police inspector Yuvraj Nandra is investigating the case. Anand Jain, head of the billing department at MNGL, stated that MNGL does not offer a mobile app for bill payments or updates. MNGL has received complaints about fake calls and messages and has filed a complaint with the police commissioner.

Cyber police station senior inspector Suresh Shinde has reported an increase in extortion incidents in the name of MNGL. Four cases have been registered so far. The police are seeking mobile numbers and email IDs from mobile companies and banks to provide KYC details of fraudulent accounts. Based on this information, the police will search for the accused.