Cyber Fraud Targeting West Discom and Avantika Gas Consumers in Madhya Pradesh
- Consumer data breach in Madhya Pradesh leads to fraudulent messages and phone calls targeting West Discom and Avantika Gas consumers.
- Fraudsters impersonate as power or gas company staff to trick consumers into downloading malicious APK files to update online payment modes.
- Increase in cybercrime cases posing a threat to consumer privacy and financial security.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh – Consumers of power and piped gas services in Indore are being warned about a surge in fraudulent activities that compromise personal information, particularly mobile numbers. Fraudsters are reportedly sending deceptive messages and making phone calls, threatening to cut off services unless immediate payments are made. Victims are often instructed to download APK files linked in these communications, leading to financial losses for many. In response to the rising incidents, the Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company (West Discom) issued a public alert, advising consumers to be vigilant against such scams. The company noted an uptick in reports where individuals received messages from unknown numbers, falsely claiming that their electricity supply would be terminated unless they complied with payment demands or downloaded suspicious files. Avantika Gas Ltd (AGL) has also echoed these warnings through social media, urging consumers to be cautious of fake calls and to avoid sharing personal or banking information with unverified sources. Last month alone, eight cases were reported where individuals received texts from numbers impersonating AGL, threatening disconnection of gas services over unpaid bills. Consumers are reminded that official communications regarding bills will only come from recognized sources, such as the West Discom’s official WhatsApp account or SMS from ‘Ad-MPSEBW.’ The electricity company emphasizes that payments should only be made through authorized platforms and encourages customers to disregard messages from unknown numbers to safeguard against potential cyber threats.