Mumbai: A major cybercrime fraud was averted after residents of an entire building in Mumbai’s Santacruz received scam calls from Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) officials. The callers allegedly asked residents to download an APK file on the pretext of completing new piped gas connection registration.

the calls suspicion as the residents of the building had applied for new gas meters around a month ago and had completed all formalities, including payment of fees to MGL. However, the calls raised concerns among residents as scamsters had access to all their personal details and application information. Moreover, residents raised concerns about an alleged breach of consumers’ data.

According to the report, the fraudsters not only called the residents but also a few received video and WhatsApp calls asking residents to download the APK files.

On this, a resident also informed that he contacted the MGL helpline and was informed that the company communicates only through SMS and never asks customers to download APK files. The resident called it a clear case of fraud, the report stated.

A senior MGL also informed the daily that the company follows strict data privacy guidelines while maintaining customer information, however, they added that a data breach would be investigated.

Meanwhile, in April, a man posing as an MGL employee was caught by residents in Mumbai’s Bhandup while allegedly trying to scam a household. The accused, who failed to produce a valid ID, was handed over to the police.

In another case, a 64-year-old Kurla resident was targeted when fraudsters sent him a fake APK file after warning that his gas connection would be blocked. After he downloaded the file, Rs 2.35 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account.

MGL on its official social media handle keeps posting messages for residents, warning them that scammers often pose as trusted service providers through fake links, APK downloads, and WhatsApp or SMS messages. They also provided the official route of communication:

WhatsApp: +91-98992 03843

Customer Care: 022 6867 4500 / 6156 4500

Email: support@mahanagargas.com

It said, “MGL DOES NOT send threats of disconnection through suspicious messages, asking to download APKs, or asking customers to contact unknown numbers for bill updates.”

New Delhi, May 11: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday opposed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking to turn approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, telling a Delhi court that her conduct during the investigation was “not satisfactory” and that she failed to fully cooperate with the probe.

Appearing before the Patiala House Court, the federal anti-money laundering agency contended that Jacqueline did not make a “full and true disclosure” in her statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED said that during the course of the investigation, Jacqueline’s conduct was not cooperative as she “consistently failed to make full and truthful disclosures” in connection with the proceeds of crime allegedly generated by Chandrashekhar.

Opposing her plea to become a prosecution witness, the ED further alleged that Jacqueline continued to remain in regular contact with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal antecedents.

According to the probe agency, Chandrashekhar had arranged “all benefits, gifts and valuables” for Jacqueline out of the proceeds of crime generated through the alleged money laundering activities.

After hearing the submissions, the Patiala House Court granted time to Jacqueline Fernandez’s counsel to file a rejoinder to the ED’s reply and posted the matter for further hearing on May 12.

The ED has accused Jacqueline of allegedly receiving luxury gifts worth around Rs 7 crore from Chandrashekhar. However, the actor has consistently maintained that she had no knowledge about his alleged criminal activities or the source of the money used for those gifts.

In September last year, the Supreme Court had declined to entertain Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking the quashing of the money laundering proceedings initiated against her by the ED.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Jacqueline before the apex court, had argued that she could not be prosecuted under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA as she had no knowledge that the gifts received from Chandrashekhar were proceeds of crime.

The Justice Datta-led Bench, however, referred to the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case, upholding the ED’s powers under the PMLA and observed that allegations at the stage of framing of charges must be accepted as they stand.

The ED has filed multiple charge sheets in the case and named Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused in a supplementary prosecution complaint, while another Bollywood actor, Nora Fatehi, was examined as a witness.

The probe agency has alleged that Chandrashekhar’s aide Pinky Irani facilitated the delivery of luxury gifts and expensive items to Jacqueline on his behalf.

The money laundering case stems from allegations that Chandrashekhar cheated the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of nearly Rs 200 crore. However, Fernandez maintained that she had no role in laundering Chandrashekhar’s alleged illegal wealth.

The 40-year-old Sri Lankan actress, who entered Bollywood after winning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka crown in 2006, has been a prominent figure in Hindi cinema for over a decade, also featuring in music videos and reality shows.

Mumbai: The Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali on Sunday remanded Mark alias Mahesh Khemlani, the alleged main supplier in the NESCO drug overdose case, to judicial custody till May 22. The Vanrai police did not seek his custodial interrogation while producing him before the holiday court.

Khemlani’s advocate Pankaj Jadhav said no drugs were recovered from his client and police had not sought his custody.

The case came to light after two MBA students died following a techno music concert held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon East on April 11. Police said a group of youngsters had allegedly consumed Ecstasy (MDMA) pills during the event. A 24-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man died due to suspected overdose, while another student survived after treatment.

Following the incident, the Vanrai police registered a case under the NDPS Act and began investigating the alleged drug supply network linked to the concert.

Police have so far arrested 12 accused, including alleged suppliers, students, a security guard, NESCO-linked staffers and an event organiser. One accused, event organiser Akash Samal, has been granted bail by the NDPS court. Investigators alleged that Khemlani sourced around 4,000 Ecstasy pills from a Europe-based contact. According to police, the consignment arrived in two batches — 3,000 pills followed by another 1,000 — and was later transported to Ulhasnagar through associates.

Police said the probe has also revealed an alleged cryptocurrency payment trail involving USDT/Tether wallets. Investigators are examining possible international drug trafficking links and related financial transactions.

The police recovered 933 Ecstasy pills worth around `15 lakh. The pills were allegedly discarded by accused Ayush Sahitya while travelling towards Goa after the overdose incident.

Police have also traced several bank transactions allegedly linked to the accused through accounts connected to co-accused Jiya Jacob, identified as Khemlani’s livein partner.

Khemlani was arrested at Mumbai airport after returning from Thailand. Police alleged he had left India after the incident, following which a look out circular was issued.