Is RBI running any donation or lottery compensation scheme? Check details

An email circulating online claiming to be sent from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is asking people to pay a credit fee under ‘Donation Program 2026’ or to receive compensation payment for winning a lottery. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check team in a social media post on X (erstwhile Twitter) said that the message is fake and the RBI is not running any such scheme.

According to the PIB Fact Check, the email is a part of a phishing attempt aimed at cheating people and stealing money or sensitive financial information from them.

PIB Fact Check issues warning

In its post on X, the PIB Fact Check has clarified that neither the RBI nor any government authority is running any such donation programme, lottery compensation payment, inheritance fund or a related scheme.

The government has also warned people not to trust such emails or messages that promise large payouts in exchange for upfront payments or processing charges.

In a social media post on X, the PIB Fact Check team says, “Neither the Reserve Bank of India has issued any such email, nor is it running any such donation programme, compensation payment for winning lottery or any other fund or scheme.”

The fake mail also asks for details such as:

• Bank account name
• Bank account numbers
• IFSC/SWIFT code
• Full name
• Address
• Mobile number
• WhatsApp number
• ID proof copy

Cyber fraudsters often use the names of trusted institutions such as the RBI or government departments to make the scam appear genuine.

How to report suspicious online messages

The PIB Fact Check team has asked citizens to report suspicious content related to the Central Government through the following channels:
WhatsApp: +91 8799711259
Email: factcheck@pib.gov.in

What people should do when they receive suspicious messages-

Citizens have been advised to:
Avoid clicking on suspicious links
Never share banking details, passwords, OTPs or personal information
Ignore emails or messages demanding advance payments
Verify information only through official government or RBI channels
With online financial frauds increasing, experts say people should remain cautious about unsolicited emails and messages promising lottery winnings, donations, compensation payments or easy money.