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 After he downloaded the file, Rs 2.35 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account.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.”

Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP leader and minister Nitesh Rane has compared All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen national chief Asaduddin Owaisi to terrorist Osama bin Laden and has declared AIMIM a terrorist organization. Along with this, he has also demanded a ban on it on the lines of Popular Front of India PFI. Nitesh Rane has shown provocation by declaring a political party as terrorist, after which AIMIM has also expressed its displeasure and demanded action against Nitesh Rane. Expressing his displeasure over this, the AIMIM leader and former MLA said that Nitesh Rane is mentally deranged and that he says anything, so strict action should be taken against him. On comparing Asaduddin Owaisi to terrorist Osama bin Laden, Waris Pathan said that Owaisi has been elected as a member of parliament five times and is always a strong supporter of India. When Pakistan was to be exposed on a global scale regarding Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Owaisi an ambassador and he exposed Pakistan’s work. Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to pay attention to this. At the same time, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should remove Nitesh Rane from the ministry and take strict action against him because this statement is intolerable and Nitesh Rane keeps issuing such indecent statements. In such a situation, action against Nitesh Rane is necessary. There is resentment in the AIMIM over the rhetoric against Owaisi. In this matter, Waris Pathan has also given a befitting reply to Nitesh Rane and criticized his mental state. He said that labeling a political party as a terrorist and demanding its ban is completely inappropriate and unconstitutional.

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.