Reserve Bank of India has been periodically reiterating about the activities of unscrupulous elements using the name of RBI and defrauding the common public. These elements use fake letter heads of RBI, send emails impersonating as employees of RBI and lure people with fictitious offers / lottery winnings / remittance of cheap funds in foreign currency from abroad. Targeted public is made to part with money in the form of currency processing fee, foreign currency conversion fee, prepayment etc. RBI has been spreading awareness on fictitious emails through various modes like sending SMS to members of public, outdoor advertising and telecasting awareness films as part of its ‘Public Awareness Campaign’.

RBI reiterates the following:

• RBI does not hold any accounts for individuals.

• Beware of impersonated names of RBI officials.

• Nobody from RBI calls up people about lottery winnings/funds received from abroad.

• RBI does not send any emails intimating award of lottery funds, etc.

• RBI does not send any SMS or letter or email to communicate about fictitious offers of lottery winnings or funds received from abroad.

• The only official and genuine website of the Reserve Bank of India is (https://www.rbi.org.in/ or /en/web/rbi) and members of public are advised to be careful and not get misled by fake websites with similar addresses beginning with ‘Reserve Bank’, ‘RBI’, etc., along with fake logos.

• Immediately inform the local police or cybercrime authority about such frauds.

Members of public are advised not to respond to communication from such people/entities and not to fall prey to fraudulent emails in the name of RBI.

Jose J. Kattoor
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2018-2019/34