The fraudulent messages, which spread primarily through WhatsApp, falsely allege that citizens are entitled to cash benefits authorized by the Prime Minister. Recipients who open the embedded links are redirected to malicious sites designed to extract processing fees, siphon personal details, and manipulate users into validating unauthorized UPI payments. Officials stress that welfare initiatives must be confirmed solely via genuine portals, and suspicious communications should be reported immediately.
Key points
Citizens must avoid forwarding viral benefit notices and never disclose sensitive informa…: Citizens must avoid forwarding viral benefit notices and never disclose sensitive information like one-time passwords or UPI PINs.
Official government websites are the only authorized platforms for verifying genuine publ…: Official government websites are the only authorized platforms for verifying genuine public welfare initiatives and programs.
Deceptive government claims can be reported directly to the PIB Fact Check team via phone…: Deceptive government claims can be reported directly to the PIB Fact Check team via phone or email.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
In a scam alert, PIB clarified that the claim is false and cautioned people against clicking suspicious links or sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) with unknown individuals. The bureau also urged citizens to report misleading content related to the Central Government through its Fact Check unit.
The warning follows a message circulated by the Cyber Crimes Unit Hyderabad, which was also shared by PIB. The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has cautioned that the purported Diwali benefit is a phishing scam designed to deceive people.
How the fake Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus scam works
Fraudsters are using WhatsApp messages to claim that people can receive Rs 8,000 as a Diwali cash benefit from the Prime Minister. Recipients are asked to click on a link to access the supposed payment, which redirects them to a fraudulent website.Such links may be used to collect personal and banking details, demand a processing fee, or trick users into authorising UPI transactions. In some cases, victims may also be persuaded to download malicious applications that could compromise their devices and information.
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