Power Division Alerts Pakistanis to Fake Subsidy QR Code Scam
Pakistan’s Power Division has issued a fresh public warning after fraudsters allegedly began using fake electricity subsidy links and QR codes to target consumers across the country. The advisory, released on Friday, urged citizens to avoid sharing personal information through suspicious online forms or unofficial subsidy-related messages.
According to the warning, criminal elements are presenting themselves as facilitators of government support for electricity bills. Consumers are reportedly being directed toward fake links and QR codes that appear to be connected with subsidy schemes but are designed to collect sensitive details from unsuspecting users.
The Power Division said the scam involves a step-by-step online process in which users are first asked to submit personal information. After that, they are directed to enter a six-digit verification code, a tactic commonly used by digital fraudsters to gain access to private accounts or confirm unauthorised activity.
An official spokesperson for the division said such methods were fraudulent and illegal, adding that QR codes were being misused for harmful purposes. The spokesperson made it clear that consumers should not provide personal data, whether through digital links or paper-based forms, in the name of receiving electricity subsidies.
The advisory comes at a time when electricity bills and subsidy-related announcements remain highly sensitive issues for households and businesses. Because many consumers are actively looking for relief, fake messages promising support can spread quickly through mobile phones, messaging groups and social media platforms.
Digital fraud in Pakistan has become increasingly organised, with scammers often imitating government departments, banks, utility companies and delivery services. In many cases, the goal is to obtain identity details, one-time passwords, account access codes or other information that can be used for financial theft.
The Power Division’s warning is therefore not only about one fake campaign but also about the wider risk of citizens trusting unofficial links connected to public services. Any scheme involving subsidies, billing support or consumer registration is expected to be communicated through verified government channels rather than random messages or unknown web pages.
The ministry also said law enforcement agencies had been informed about the individuals and networks behind the suspected scam. That step suggests authorities may pursue action against those circulating fake links, while also increasing public messaging to prevent further losses.
For consumers, the immediate advice is to ignore suspicious subsidy links, avoid scanning unverified QR codes and never share verification codes with anyone. The next phase will depend on how quickly authorities can trace the fraud networks and how effectively public warnings reach people before more citizens are targeted.