RBI Compensation and Unclaimed Money Scam

A message claims RBI or a bank owes you compensation or unclaimed money and asks for a fee, tax or account details to release it.

You receive a letter, email or WhatsApp message saying that the central bank or a government panel has approved compensation, an unclaimed deposit or a customer award in your name, and it will be paid after a small fee. The official-looking logo and long reference number add to the effect. No authority asks you to pay money to receive money, and none contacts you through chat.

How the scam works

The scammer makes a document with a logo, a stamp and a signature, and sends it by email or chat. It says that you are due a large sum, such as Rs 25 lakh, because of a banking error, a lapsed policy or a global fund. The document includes a case number and a contact person, which are made up, and tells you that a quick reply is needed.

When you reply, the 'officer' asks for your ID, bank details and a processing fee, 'tax clearance' or 'anti-fraud certificate' payment. Each fee is explained with official-sounding words, and they send fake receipts or forms. They may call you to sound more real and tell you that the amount will be transferred as soon as the last fee is cleared.

The fees continue until you stop paying or run out of money. The sum you were promised never arrives, and your ID and bank details are kept by the scammer. They may use the data to open accounts or to try other scams, and they may contact you again later pretending to be a police officer who can help you recover your payments.

An example of what you may see

Example only: 'Subject: Compensation approval notice. Dear beneficiary, a compensation of Rs 25,00,000 has been approved in your favour under the customer protection programme. To release the amount, pay a tax clearance fee of Rs 12,500 to the account given below and send your ID and bank details. Reply within 3 days to avoid cancellation of your file.' The notice has a logo and stamp but no phone number or address you can check.

This example is written for illustration. Real messages change their wording, names and links all the time.

Red flags

• A large unexpected compensation or award is offered.
• A fee or tax is needed before payment.
• The message arrives by chat or free email, not through a bank.
• You are asked for ID and bank details in reply.
• A deadline of a few days is given.
• The documents have logos and stamps but no way to verify them.

What to do right now

1. Do not reply and do not pay any fee.
2. Do not send your ID or bank details.
3. Ask your own bank about any claim through the number on your card.
4. Delete the message and block the sender.
5. Report the sender on the Sanchar Saathi portal.

If you already paid or shared a code

1. Call 1930 and give the payment details.
2. Tell your bank on the number printed on your card or passbook.
3. Keep copies of what you sent and watch for accounts or loans in your name.
4. Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with the documents and chat.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930. Report online at cybercrime.gov.in. Do it fast: the sooner your bank is told, the better the chance that money can be held.

Where this scam shows up

Read how it looks on each channel:

How Safeavio helps

Safeavio's scam check works on the message you paste or share and shows plain reasons such as a prize or windfall claim, an advance fee and fake authority. Money Shield asks you to verify before paying a stranger. It cannot check whether an unclaimed deposit exists, so ask your own bank directly through official channels. Ask your bank. Use official channels.

• Scam checks
• Identity protection

Questions people ask

Other scams in this group

Also known as: RBI compensation fraud, unclaimed deposit scam, bank award money scam. More bank and card fraud