Government Advisory Issued After Fraudsters Impersonate RBI Officials to Steal Banking Information; PIB Fact Check Confirms Scam
The Government of India has issued a formal public advisory after a surge in reports of fraudulent voicemail messages claiming to be from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to the alert, cybercriminals are using automated voice calls and audio messages posing as senior RBI officers to threaten citizens with account suspension, card blocking, and legal action in order to obtain confidential banking information.
The clarification was issued by PIB Fact Check, the government’s official verification unit. In a public post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the agency stated that such messages are completely fake and are not issued by RBI or any government authority.
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How the Scam Operates
Initial investigation suggests the fraud is part of a larger digital phishing model known as Vishing (Voice Phishing). The process typically begins with an automated pre-recorded voicemail informing the target that their:
- Bank account is flagged for suspicious activity
- ATM card or UPI account has been temporarily blocked
- KYC verification has expired
- Account may be reported for money laundering violations
The voicemail then instructs the recipient to press a key or call back immediately to avoid penalties or account closure.
Once the victim responds, the call is routed to a fraudulent call centre environment, where cybercriminals impersonate:
- RBI Cyber Fraud Control Officers
- National Financial Intelligence Unit Officers
- Digital Banking Monitoring Staff
Their goal is to create urgency, fear, and compliance.
What Information They Seek
During the call, the fraudsters attempt to collect sensitive personal and financial information, including:
- Full bank account number
- ATM or debit card details
- CVV number
- Internet banking password
- OTP received via SMS
- UPI login credentials or PIN
Once the information is obtained, funds are transferred immediately or the account is accessed remotely using digital banking tools.
Government Advisory to Citizens
In its issued warning, PIB Fact Check reiterated:
“RBI never calls, emails, or sends voicemails asking customers for OTP, PIN, passwords, or account details.”
The advisory urges citizens to ignore unsolicited calls or messages requesting urgent action related to banking services, especially those claiming to be from RBI, banks, or enforcement agencies.
How to Report or Verify Suspicious Messages
Citizens have been advised to report suspicious content using the following official channels:
- Email: factcheck@pib.gov.in
- WhatsApp Helpline: +91 87997 11259
- National Cyber Crime Portal: cybercrime.gov.in
Authorities also recommend verifying bank-related alerts directly through official banking apps, websites, or helpline numbers rather than responding to unknown callers.
Experts Warn of Evolving Cyber Crime Tactics
Cybersecurity analysts note that the scam appears to use elements of:
- AI-generated voice cloning
- Data acquired from leaked databases
- Psychological manipulation (social engineering)
This makes the communication appear legitimate and increases the likelihood of victim compliance.
Conclusion: Awareness Is the First Line of Defence
With digital payments growing rapidly across India, cybercriminals are deploying increasingly sophisticated strategies. Government agencies emphasize that awareness, verification, and responsible handling of personal data remain the most effective protections against such scams.
