Cyber crime warning against viral fake link in the name of Diwali bonus

According to a report by ABP Asmita, a viral message claiming that every citizen is getting a Diwali bonus of ₹8,000 in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is completely fake, and Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police has clarified that no such scheme is being run by the central government.

This scam is a phishing scam spread by Chinese cyber fraudsters, in which fraudsters are sending messages in Indian languages through WhatsApp and other social media platforms. These messages claim that on the occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a cash gift of ₹8,000 for all citizens.

Clicking on the link provided in this message redirects the user to a fake website that may look like a government portal. Under the guise of processing the bonus amount, sensitive information such as name, mobile number, Aadhaar card, PAN card, bank account number, CVV, and OTP is demanded. Using this information, cyber fraudsters can commit financial fraud and withdraw money from bank accounts.

Fraudsters attempt to obtain details of WhatsApp or Telegram accounts or access to mobile devices by giving various instructions, which they can misuse to target other people. In some cases, fraudsters ask for money as a processing fee or mislead users into entering a UPI PIN. Due to suspicious links, harmful APK files or malware can be downloaded into mobile phones, putting personal information at risk.

Citizens have been advised not to click on suspicious links, not to open or forward messages received from unknown numbers, and not to share confidential information such as OTP, ATM PIN, CVV, and UPI PIN. Information about government schemes should be verified only from the official websites of the relevant ministries or departments, and no website should be trusted based solely on its domain.

Citizens should use the official channels of PIB Fact Check to verify suspicious government claims. The WhatsApp number for PIB Fact Check is +91 8799711259. If a financial cyber fraud occurs, victims should immediately call the national cyber crime helpline number 1930 to register a complaint.

Victims can also register an online complaint on the national cyber crime reporting portal https://cybercrime.gov.in. Victims should immediately contact their bank and, if necessary, temporarily block card, UPI, or net banking services. If a suspicious APK file or app is downloaded, users should turn off the internet connection, secure bank and other important accounts using a secure device, and seek the help of a cyber expert if necessary.