A fake letter in the name of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is becoming increasingly viral on social media. It is being claimed that if a person wants the pending amount of ₹1 lakh, then he will have to first deposit a “refundable tax” of ₹7,500. However, the fact check team of the government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) has called this claim completely fake and has appealed to the people not to fall into such a trap.
What is claimed in the fake letter?
The name and seal of RBI is seen on this letter going viral. It is written that the amount of ₹ 1,00,000 is withheld due to transaction failure. To release this amount, tax of ₹ 7,500 will have to be deposited first. The letter also claims that this tax is completely refundable and a total of ₹ 1,06,800 will be sent to your account within 10 minutes of depositing the money.
It has also been said in the letter that the bank account information for depositing the tax will be given by the RBI employees and it has been asked to make the payment as soon as possible.
PIB told- this is completely fake
PIB Fact Check has clarified on social media platform X (earlier Twitter) that this letter is fake. RBI never asks any person to deposit taxes or fees for releasing any payment. People have been appealed not to trust any such message, email or letter and not to send money to any account.
Scam Alert!
A letter doing rounds on the internet reportedly issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) claims that the recipient must pay a refundable tax amount of ₹7,500 to facilitate the release of a pending amount of ₹1,00,000. #PIBFactCheck: :
This letter is pic.twitter.com/qKfnpQz36Q
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) July 17, 2026
Warning has already been issued
RBI has already many times advised people to beware of such fake offers, frauds in the name of winning lottery, getting money from abroad or getting cheap foreign funds. Fraudsters often try to cheat people by using the name of RBI or its officials.
What to do if you get such a message?
If you also receive any such letter, email, SMS or WhatsApp message, do not trust it at all. Do not transfer money to any account and immediately lodge a complaint with your nearest police station or cyber crime portal.
What advice has RBI given to the people?
RBI does not operate any person’s bank account.
Be cautious of phone calls or messages coming in the name of RBI officials.
RBI never gives information about winning lottery or receiving money from abroad through phone, email, SMS or letter.
RBI does not ask for deposit of tax or fees in exchange for releasing any payment.
The official website of RBI is only www.rbi.org.in. Be careful of websites with similar names and fake logos.
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