Mumbai Police Arrest 3 For ₹6.24 Lakh Scam Using Fake Gas App

Mumbai police have arrested three men for allegedly cheating people through a malicious APK file disguised as a Mahanagar Gas application. The accused used the app to gain remote access to victims’ phones and siphon money from their bank accounts.

The Kandivali police Cyber Cell traced the financial transactions and identified the accused as Urvishkumar Patel, Janikumar Patel, and Ankitkumar Patel. The trio was traced to Olpad village in Gujarat.

In one case, complainant Bakul Kantilal Desai was contacted by persons claiming that his gas meter reading needed to be uploaded. He was asked to download an APK file purportedly linked to Mahanagar Gas. After installing it, ₹2.70 lakh was allegedly transferred from his bank account.

In another case, Shailesh Jaikishan Parmar was asked to pay ₹12 for a gas meter reading on May 7, 2025. After downloading the APK sent to him, ₹4.17 lakh was siphoned from his savings account.

The accused allegedly used the stolen money to repay a gold loan taken from Bajaj Finserv. Police have recovered around ₹6.24 lakh from the accused.

The scam highlights the importance of being cautious when downloading apps, especially those that ask for sensitive information. Mahanagar Gas has not released an official statement on the matter, but it is likely that the company will take steps to alert its customers about the fake app.

The Kandivali police have advised people to be vigilant when receiving calls or messages asking them to download apps or provide sensitive information. They have also warned people against installing APK files from unknown sources.

The arrest of the three men is a significant breakthrough in the case, and it is likely that more people will be arrested in connection with the scam. The police are still investigating the matter and are trying to identify other victims.

The scam has caused significant financial losses to the victims, and it is likely that they will take some time to recover from the losses. The police have advised people to be patient and to cooperate with the investigation.

In recent years, there have been several cases of scams and cybercrimes in Mumbai, and the police have been working to crack down on these crimes. The arrest of the three men is a significant step in this direction, and it is likely that the police will continue to work to prevent such scams in the future.

The case highlights the need for people to be aware of the risks of cybercrimes and to take steps to protect themselves. This includes being cautious when downloading apps, using strong passwords, and being vigilant when receiving calls or messages asking for sensitive information.

The police have recovered a significant amount of money from the accused, and it is likely that the victims will be able to recover some of their losses. However, the case is still under investigation, and it is likely that more details will emerge in the coming days.

The scam has caused significant concern among the public, and it is likely that people will be more cautious in the future when dealing with apps and sensitive information. The police have advised people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The case is a reminder of the importance of being aware of the risks of cybercrimes and taking steps to protect oneself. It is likely that the police will continue to work to prevent such scams in the future, and it is important for people to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves.

In conclusion, the arrest of the three men is a significant breakthrough in the case, and it is likely that more people will be arrested in connection with the scam. The police have advised people to be vigilant and to cooperate with the investigation, and it is likely that the victims will be able to recover some of their losses.

The case highlights the need for people to be aware of the risks of cybercrimes and to take steps to protect themselves. This includes being cautious when downloading apps, using strong passwords, and being vigilant when receiving calls or messages asking for sensitive information. The police will continue to work to prevent such scams in the future, and it is important for people to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves.

What it means for Mumbai is that the city's residents need to be more cautious when dealing with apps and sensitive information. The police have advised people to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The case is a reminder of the importance of being aware of the risks of cybercrimes and taking steps to protect oneself.