Fake RBI official / RBI prize money scam in India

How this scam works

Emails, letters or calls in the name of RBI or its Governor say you have won money or have funds waiting, and ask for a 'processing' or 'clearance' fee.

हिंदी में सारांश

RBI किसी को इनाम या फंड नहीं भेजता।

ठगी होने पर तुरंत 1930 पर कॉल करें या cybercrime.gov.in पर शिकायत दर्ज करें।

Warning signs

• RBI does not hold personal accounts or send prize money
• Fee demanded to release funds
• Letterhead or email not from rbi.org.in

If you're targeted

1. Don't pay, don't share OTPs or PINs, and don't install any app they suggest.
2. If money was sent, call your bank and then 1930 within the first hour — quick reporting gives the best chance of freezing the money.
3. File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and keep screenshots and payment details as evidence.

India helplines · भारत हेल्पलाइन

• 1930National cyber fraud helpline (24×7) · साइबर फ्रॉड हेल्पलाइन
• 112Emergency / police · आपातकालीन सहायता
• 14448RBI complaint helpline (bank / UPI) · RBI शिकायत
• 1915National Consumer Helpline · उपभोक्ता हेल्पलाइन
• cybercrime.gov.inFile an online complaint · ऑनलाइन शिकायत
• ChakshuReport fraud calls/SMS · फर्जी कॉल की रिपोर्ट

Official warning