Rs 8,000 Diwali Bonus Scam: PIB Issues Warning, Here's How To Report It If You've Lost Money

A WhatsApp message promising an Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus from the Prime Minister is doing the rounds, but there is no such government benefit. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has flagged the viral claim as fake, warning citizens that fraudsters are using the festive season to lure people into a phishing scam.

The messages encourage recipients to click on links to claim the supposed cash reward, redirecting them to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information. The warning is particularly important for anyone who may have already clicked on the link, shared banking details or completed a transaction believing the offer was genuine.

The authorities have urged people to avoid interacting with these messages and report suspicious activity immediately. Those who have lost money should act quickly, as reporting a suspected cyber fraud without delay can help initiate the process of tracing the transaction.

🚨 Scam Alert! 💸 ⚠️ A fraudulent message is circulating on WhatsApp falsely claiming that the Government of India is providing Rs 8000/- as diwali bonus under the name of the Prime Minister. The message leads to a fake website seeking personal information.

💡 Beware of phishing scams that could lead to financial losses. Do not click any suspicious links or share OTPs with unknown people. 🔴 Report suspicious content related to the Central Government to PIB Fact Check 🔽 📲 +91 8799711259 📩 factcheck@pib.gov.in The fraudulent messages, circulated through WhatsApp, claim that the Central Government is distributing Rs 8,000 as a special Diwali benefit under the Prime Minister's name.

Recipients are asked to visit a website through an embedded link to register for or claim the supposed payment. However, the website is not an official government portal. Cybercriminals may use such pages to collect sensitive information, including banking credentials and personal details.

Victims could also be asked to pay a processing fee, authorise fraudulent UPI transactions or download applications that may compromise their devices. The PIB has categorically rejected the claim and cautioned people against clicking on suspicious links or sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) with unknown individuals.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has also flagged the message as a phishing attempt. The warning was shared by the PIB following an alert circulated by the Cyber Crimes Unit Hyderabad. Clicking on a suspicious link does not necessarily mean that your bank account has been compromised.

However, if you have interacted with the website, it is important to take precautions immediately. Even if you have not lost money, reporting a suspicious link and securing any information you may have shared can help prevent further damage.

Anyone who has transferred money after responding to the fraudulent offer should report the incident immediately. The national cybercrime helpline, 1930, is the first point of contact for reporting financial cyber fraud.

Reporting the fraud as soon as possible is important. While there is no guarantee that the money will be recovered, an early complaint gives the authorities an opportunity to take timely action. People who come across misleading messages claiming to offer government benefits can also report them to the PIB Fact Check unit.

The bureau has provided the following contact details for reporting suspicious claims related to the Central Government: Citizens should also verify government schemes and financial assistance announcements through official government websites before sharing personal information or making payments.

The key takeaway is simple: a WhatsApp forward promising free money in the name of the Prime Minister should never be treated as an official announcement. With fraudulent messages becoming increasingly convincing, verifying the source before clicking a link or sharing financial information remains one of the most effective ways to avoid falling victim to cybercrime.

A WhatsApp message falsely claims the Prime Minister is offering an Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus. It's a phishing scam by fraudsters using fake websites to steal personal and financial information from recipients. If you entered personal or banking details, contact your bank immediately.

Change banking passwords and UPI credentials. If you downloaded an app, avoid using it and seek help to remove it. Immediately call the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and inform your bank. File an online complaint at cybercrime.gov.in and preserve all evidence like screenshots and transaction IDs.