LPG Cylinder Delivery Scam: Fraud in the name of DAC number — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 22, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

LPG Cylinder Delivery Scam in India 2026: Beware of Fraud Using Your DAC Number

Phishing scammers are exploiting Indians’ trust in LPG services by faking messages about cylinder deliveries linked to the DAC number, causing financial loss and identity theft.

What Is the LPG Cylinder Delivery Scam: Fraud in the name of DAC number?

The LPG Cylinder Delivery Scam involving the DAC number is a rising phishing threat in India, targeting people who regularly book domestic cooking gas cylinders from companies like Indane, Bharat Gas, and HP Gas. DAC stands for Document Authentication Code, a unique identifier linked to your LPG booking. Scammers misuse this code’s familiarity to trick victims into believing their cylinder delivery is pending confirmation or action, urging them to respond quickly.

This scam preys on the habits of millions of Indian households that now depend on digital communication—SMS and WhatsApp—for LPG delivery updates. Because many people are used to receiving official messages from delivery agencies, fraudulent messages that cleverly mimic these notifications easily slip past suspicion. The scam is widespread across urban and semi-urban India, affecting users who recently booked cylinders or updated their LPG accounts.

CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team India) and the Indian government’s I4C (Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre) have issued advisories warning citizens to be extra cautious before clicking any link or sharing sensitive details related to LPG bookings. RBI also reminds users not to share UPI PINs or OTPs if payment confirmation is involved in such scams.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Contact via SMS or WhatsApp: The scammer sends a message pretending to be an official LPG provider. The message states your LPG cylinder delivery is scheduled and urges you to “confirm your booking” using your DAC number or other personal details.

2. Phishing Link or Callback Request: The message includes a link or phone number. Clicking the link may redirect you to a fake website resembling the official LPG booking portal or payment gateway. If a call is requested, the scammer impersonates a customer support agent.

3. Request for Sensitive Data: You are asked to enter your DAC number, Aadhaar number, phone number, and sometimes bank or UPI details to supposedly verify your identity and confirm the cylinder delivery.

4. Fake Payment Verification: You might be prompted to make a payment or “verify” your payment by entering UPI PIN or OTP received on your phone. This step is a trap to steal your UPI credentials or bank details.

5. Unauthorized Transactions or SIM Swap: Using the information provided, scammers may initiate unauthorized payments or even arrange SIM swaps to take over your mobile number, gaining access to your OTPs and personal accounts.

6. You Notice Missing Money or Fraud: After the scam, you may see unexpected debits in your bank statements or receive messages from financial institutions about fraudulent transactions or SIM-related alerts.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Message comes from an unknown or unofficial number, not the registered LPG provider’s helpline.
• Urgent language pushing for immediate action, like “Confirm your booking immediately.”
• Links that don’t direct to official LPG websites (e.g., URL misspellings or odd domain names).
• Requests for sensitive information such as DAC number, Aadhaar, bank details, or UPI PIN.
• Calls or messages asking you to share OTPs or PIN over the phone or chat.
• Unexpected payment requests unrelated to your recent LPG bookings.
• Poor grammar or spelling mistakes in messages, unusual for official communications.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often face financial loss as scammers exploit UPI payments or online banking systems to withdraw money without authorization. Since UPI transactions are instant and mostly irreversible, getting refunds or reversing payments is difficult.

Beyond money loss, victims may suffer Aadhaar-related identity theft if sensitive documents are shared, leading to misuse in future scams or loan frauds. Victims may also experience emotional distress, anxiety over security breaches, and frustration due to the lengthy recovery process, especially for elderly or less tech-savvy individuals.

SIM swap frauds linked to this scam can cause further trouble by disabling victims’ access to banking and Aadhaar-linked services, locking them out of important accounts and communications.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repeatedly cautioned users not to share confidential banking or UPI data, including PINs or OTPs, over phone, SMS, or WhatsApp. RBI’s helpline is available at 1800-112-111 for reporting suspicious transactions and fraud attempts.

CERT-In advises users to verify messages about essential services like LPG via official websites or verified customer care channels before taking any action. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) also recommends reporting such incidents through the 1930 cybercrime helpline, which manages fraud cases across states.

While no specific advisory against this exact scam exists yet, these authorities emphasize vigilance and responsible sharing of personal data to prevent becoming a victim.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Never click on suspicious links in unsolicited SMS or WhatsApp messages about LPG deliveries.
2. Verify all communications by directly calling your LPG provider’s official helpline or checking their registered website.
3. Do not share your DAC number, Aadhaar, bank details, or UPI PIN with anyone, even if they claim to be officials.
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on mobile banking and UPI apps.
5. Monitor your bank and UPI statements regularly for unauthorized transactions.
6. Register for mobile number locking features like “Call Me Once” or “DND” restrictions to curb spam calls.
7. Update your phone’s software and security patches regularly to defend against hacking attempts.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

• Immediately block the scammer’s number and do not respond further.
• Contact your bank or UPI service provider to freeze or block your accounts and report fraudulent transactions.
• File a complaint with the nearest cybercrime police station or online at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
• Call the 1930 cybercrime helpline to report the incident and get assistance.
• Inform your LPG provider about the scam to help protect other users.
• Change all passwords for your financial apps and Aadhaar-linked accounts.
• Consider applying for a new SIM card if you suspect SIM swap fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a DAC number, and why do scammers ask for it?
A: The DAC (Document Authentication Code) is a unique number linked to LPG bookings for authentication. Scammers ask for it to gain your trust and extract more personal information, which they use to commit fraud.

Q: Can I reverse a UPI payment if I paid a scammer trying to confirm my LPG delivery?
A: UPI payments are mostly instantaneous and irreversible. While you should immediately report the fraud to your bank and UPI app, chances of reversal are slim. Early reporting increases the chance of recovery.

Q: How can I confirm if a message about LPG delivery is genuine?
A: Always cross-check by logging into your LPG provider’s official website or calling their verified customer care number. Avoid clicking on links or sharing details through messages you didn’t expect.

Stay alert and always verify suspicious LPG delivery messages on BharatSecure.app, India’s trusted platform to fight digital fraud and scams. Your safety is our priority!