Kolkata Mother Targeted in Video Call Scam Amid LPG Shortage, Asked to Open Bank Account

As India grapples with a growing LPG shortage, a woman from Kolkata has raised the alarm about a potential scam targeting households. She revealed that her mother recently received calls from two different numbers, with the callers claiming to offer “urgent LPG assistance.”

The scammers allegedly asked her mother to open her bank account while staying on a video call. Fortunately, her mother sensed something was wrong and did not share any sensitive details or enter her PIN.

Sharing the experience on X (formerly Twitter), the woman wrote, “These numbers called my ma, and scammed her, saying they were offering urgent LPG help. Got her to open her bank account on video call, thankfully she was alert enough not to transfer money to them. Or to type the pin on camera.” She also tagged the official Bidhannagar Police account and shared the suspicious numbers to warn others.

Why the LPG Shortage Is Worsening

India’s LPG supply has been disrupted due to delays in shipments from Gulf countries. Several tankers are stuck near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, after rising tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Iran has increased attacks on vessels in the region, forcing companies to slow or temporarily halt shipments.

Currently, about 3 lakh metric tonnes of LPG are stranded, highlighting the scale of the disruption. With India importing nearly half of its natural gas, any blockade significantly impacts domestic supply.

Rising LPG Prices Add to Household Pressure

The supply disruption is also pushing prices up. A 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder is now Rs 60 costlier, while commercial 19 kg cylinders used by restaurants and small businesses have increased by Rs 115-144 this month.

However, beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) continue to receive a Rs 300 subsidy per cylinder, directly credited to their bank accounts, offering some relief during this challenging period.