Fact Check: A viral letter circulating online claims that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is asking people to pay Rs 7,500 as a refundable tax to receive a pending payment of Rs 1 lakh. However, the claim is false. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit has flagged the letter as fake and warned people against falling for such fraudulent messages using the RBI’s name and logo.
Viral RBI Letter Claiming Rs 1 Lakh Payment Is On Hold
The misleading letter claims that a payment of Rs 1,00,000 has been blocked due to a “transaction failure” and that the recipient must deposit Rs 7,500 as a refundable tax to the RBI to get the money released. It further promises that the total amount, including an additional sum, will be credited to the person’s account within minutes after the payment is made.
The letter reportedly carries the RBI’s name, logo and official-looking details to appear genuine. However, authorities have confirmed that the document is not issued by the central bank.
PIB Fact Check Declares Viral RBI Letter Fake
The PIB Fact Check team, through a post on X (formerly Twitter), clarified that the viral message is fraudulent and does not belong to the Reserve Bank of India. The fact-check unit advised people not to share personal details or transfer money in response to such messages.
According to PIB Fact Check, the message falsely states that a Rs 1 lakh payment is waiting to be credited and asks the recipient to pay Rs 7,500 as a “tax” to unlock the amount. Such tactics are commonly used by scammers to trick people into making advance payments.
RBI Does Not Ask People To Pay Money To Receive Funds
The Reserve Bank of India has repeatedly warned the public about scams involving fake offers, lottery winnings, foreign remittances and promised financial rewards. The central bank has made it clear that it does not contact individuals asking them to deposit money to receive any payment.
RBI has also clarified that it does not maintain personal accounts for individuals and does not send emails, SMS messages or letters offering lottery winnings or foreign funds. Any communication claiming otherwise should be treated with suspicion.
How To Identify Fake RBI Messages And Scams
People should remain cautious when receiving messages that promise large amounts of money in exchange for an upfront payment. Fraudsters often use fake documents, official-looking logos and names of government institutions to gain trust.
The RBI has advised people to verify any suspicious communication through its official website and avoid clicking on unknown links or sharing bank details, OTPs, passwords or other sensitive information.
What To Do If You Receive A Fake RBI Letter
If you receive such a message or have already lost money to a scam, report the incident immediately to local law enforcement authorities or cybercrime reporting platforms. Quick reporting can help authorities track fraudulent activities and prevent further losses. People should remember that genuine government institutions, including the RBI, will never ask individuals to pay a fee or tax to release an unexpected payment.
RBI Warns People Against Fake Websites And Impersonation
The RBI has also cautioned people about fake websites and individuals impersonating RBI officials. Scammers often create websites with names similar to the official RBI website to mislead users.
The central bank has advised citizens to rely only on its official website, www.rbi.org.in, for authentic information and remain alert against fraudulent claims involving fake payments, rewards or financial offers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared by the PIB Fact Check unit and RBI advisories. Readers are advised to verify financial messages through official sources before taking any action.
