The Reserve Bank of India has today advised members of public to immediately register a complaint with the local police/cyber crime authorities when they receive fictitious offers of money from abroad or if they are victims of such offers. It has also placed, on its website, the list of such nodal agencies with whom the public can register complaints.

The Reserve Bank has, on several occasions in the past, cautioned the members of public against falling prey to fictitious offers/lottery winnings/remittance of cheap funds in foreign currency from abroad by so-called foreign entities/ individuals or to Indian residents acting as representatives of such entities/individuals. It has stated that such offers are fraudulent and has advised the public to immediately register a complaint with the local police/cyber crime authorities when they receive such offers or become a victim of any such fraud.

Members of public have also been cautioned against making any remittance towards participation in such schemes/offers from unknown entities since such remittances are illegal and any resident in India collecting and effecting/remitting such payments directly/indirectly outside India is liable to be proceeded against for contravention of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. They are also liable for violation of regulations relating to Know Your Customer (KYC) norms/Anti Money Laundering (AML) standards.

The Reserve Bank has further stated that it does not undertake any type of money arrangement, by whatever name called, and it does not take any responsibility for recovering moneys remitted in response to such bogus communication.

Ajit Prasad
Assistant General Manager

Press Release : 2011-2012/1105