‘Gas cylinder subsidy’ calls back on prowl, dupe 11 victims of lakhs
Times of India | 18 November 2025
Kolkata: Around 11 Kolkatans last week came to Kolkata Police reporting losses — from a few thousand to a few lakhs — through the "gas cylinder scam", wherein the victims reportedly received calls purportedly from their local gas dealer, stating they would receive Rs 5,500 as arrears of the subsidy for LPG cylinders from the time of the pandemic.
In the 10-minute conversations, phone calls shifted to WhatsApp video calls, where the accused gave instructions to type in a few numbers. The accused gave the impression that money would be credited to the victim's account before asking for the OTP.
On Monday, the cyber cell of Kolkata Police – along with divisional cyber cells – issued a warning about the new scam targeting UPI users, where fraudsters are using the pretext of the central govt subsidy to deceive individuals into compromising their financial information.
"The scam involves perpetrators making unsolicited calls, instructing victims to log into their UPI accounts under the guise of completing KYC procedures and setting payment schedules. Victims are promised that a pending subsidy, allegedly delayed due to Covid, will be credited to their accounts once these steps are completed," an officer said.
The fraudsters then request victims to share their screens via WhatsApp video calls, during which they are guided to make payments.
To further manipulate the victims, the fraudsters type "subsidy receipt" in the payment note area, creating a false sense of legitimacy and trust. There have been at least two FIRs — the rest being GDs.
The fraudsters have also managed to create a convincing ruse by using accurate personal information, including names, addresses, and distributor details, making the scam difficult to detect. "Gas cylinder subsidy fraud can involve fake websites and fraudulent agents who impersonate public sector oil company officials to collect money for non-existent services or appointments. It is crucial to be aware of these scams and to report them.
To prevent fraud, it is recommended to ensure your Aadhaar number is linked to your gas and bank accounts, and to only use official channels for transactions and complaints," an officer said.