Ghansoli’s Ashraf Gaine became the primary target. A stranger rang his phone, identifying as an MGL employee amid reports of gas shortages. ‘Your bill is overdue; your connection will be snapped,’ the voice threatened.

Desperate to avoid hassle, Gaine offered instant payment. Crooks responded with a booby-trapped file via a second number. Downloading it installed spyware, allowing hackers to commandeer his mobile and drain Rs 10.3 lakh from his bank.

Transaction notifications jolted him into action. He dashed to Kopar Khairane police, triggering an FIR against unidentified perpetrators. Investigations are underway.

Echoing this horror, elderly resident Ajay, 72, lost Rs 2.23 lakh on April 5 through identical deception—fake bill alerts leading to device takeover.

Authorities note the pattern: scammers prey on utility panic. Key advice—treat unknown contacts with suspicion. Shun file downloads from strangers. Bypass dubious links.

Legitimate queries? Dial official helplines. Use verified apps from trusted sources.

With cyber fraud surging, Navi Mumbai cops are gearing up for community campaigns to arm citizens with knowledge. In an era of digital threats, awareness is the best defense.