13 February,2026 09:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Aishwarya Iyer
The cop received a message on February 7 at around 1.27 pm while he was on duty. Representational Pic/File/iStock
A police sub-inspector posted at Mahim Police Station in Mumbai was duped of Rs 96,896 after cyber fraudsters posed as officials of Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) and tricked him into downloading a malicious mobile application, officials said on Friday.
According to Mahim Police Station, the 55-year-old officer received a message on February 7 at around 1.27 pm while he was on duty.
The SMS warned that his MGL gas connection would be disconnected by 7.30 pm and asked him to contact a person identifying himself as "Manish Rathore" on a given mobile number.
Believing the message to be genuine, the officer called the number later in the evening. The caller claimed to be an MGL officer and sent an APK file titled "MGL GAS UNBLOCK FILE" via WhatsApp, instructing him to download it to avoid disconnection.
Soon after installing the file, two unauthorised transactions were carried out from his bank account linked to his mobile number. Between 1.27 pm and 6.10 pm, a total of Rs 96,896.80 was debited through point-of-sale (POS) transactions - Rs 95,896.80 under the name "MUTHOOTMERCANTIL" and Rs 1,000 towards "AMAZON GIFT CARD".
Realising he had been cheated, the officer lodged a complaint on the cyber crime portal, following which an FIR was registered under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police have begun investigating the unknown accused and are tracing the mobile numbers used in the fraud.
- Dial 1930 immediately to report online financial fraud
- Lodge a complaint at: www.cybercrime.gov.in
- Report within the "golden hour" to increase the chances of fund recovery
- Keep transaction details, screenshots and bank messages ready
- Inform your bank and block cards/net banking access immediately
Police have advised citizens not to download APK files from unknown sources or respond to messages threatening utility disconnection.
