Summary of this article
PIB flags fake RBI donation and lottery compensation emails
Fraudsters seek banking details through phishing email scams
Citizens advised against clicking suspicious links or sharing information
The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit has cautioned people against a fake email scam circulating as a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) message. The fraudulent message claims that recipients are eligible to receive money under a “Donation Program 2026”, in the form of a lottery compensation payment and/or inheritance fund, or other similar schemes.
The PIB Fact Check team has said the email is fake and is part of a phishing attempt designed to cheat people and steal financial or personal information. In a social media post on X, PIB Fact Check clarified that neither RBI nor any government authority has issued such emails or launched any donation, compensation, or lottery-related program.
The post cautioned people against clicking on such suspicious links or sharing their personal and financial details through emails, calls, or text messages.
Rising Digital Payment Frauds
While the adoption and popularity of digital payments have increased, the fraudulent activities associated with them have also seen a sharp rise. According to data provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Rajya Sabha, about 2.40 million cases of cyber fraud, worth Rs 22,495 crore, were reported during 2025 alone through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS). In 2024, a total of 1.92 million complaints were registered.
Typically, scammers instil urgency in the victim’s mind either by offering quick and large rewards, or by way of coercion. Victims are usually asked to make small payments in the initial stage, which later snowball into bigger financial losses.
Banks or any other financial institutions never ask for any crucial information, such as passwords, OTPs, and PINs through emails or messaging platforms.
PIB Advises Public To Stay Alert
The PIB Fact Check team has urged citizens to verify any suspicious claims only through official government or RBI channels. It has also advised the public to avoid responding to unknown messages offering easy money, lottery prizes, or compensation payments.
People can report suspicious content related to the central government through PIB Fact Check’s official channels on WhatsApp: +91 8799711259 or through email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.
It has also advised users to delete suspicious emails and avoid downloading attachments or opening links from unknown sources.
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) has repeatedly cautioned the public that phishing scams usually rely on panic, excitement, or financial temptation to trick people into sharing sensitive information or transferring money.
