Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 -- A surge in cyber fraud cases linked to fake gas cylinder booking and billing updates has raised concern across Kerala, with scammers targeting consumers by exploiting fears over supply shortages.
Fraudsters typically initiate contact through SMS, followed by messages on WhatsApp, posing as representatives of gas agencies. Victims are then sent a malicious file titled "GAS BILL update APK", and are instructed to install it to update booking details or settle pending bills.
Cyber experts warn that installing such APK files gives scammers full access to the user's mobile phone, allowing them to steal confidential data, including banking credentials and UPI PINs. In several cases, victims have reported unauthor...