₹22,000 investment for ₹15 lakh a month? Govt warns of fake scheme

There is an advertisement going around that says if you invest around ₹22,000 you will get a lot of money every month. The government has checked this. Says it is not true. They are warning people not to click on these links or share their financial information.

1. What is happening?

A fake video and advertisement have been shared on media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The video says that if you invest ₹22,000 you can get a lot of money like ₹1 lakh or ₹15 lakh every month. The video also shows logos and numbers to make it look real. Sometimes it even shows the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman which’s not true.

The video is made to look like an advertisement and it asks you to click on a link to register.. This link can take you to a fake website or a page that can steal your information. The government and news outlets have said that this video is fake and made using intelligence.

2. Who is being impersonated?

The fake video uses the image and voice of the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman. This is done to make the video look real and trustworthy.. It is not true. The government has said that Nirmala Sitharaman has not endorsed any scheme.

3. How does the scam work?

The scam works by promising you a lot of money if you invest an amount. It uses testimonials, logos and endorsements to make it look real. It also creates a sense of urgency saying that you need to register or you will miss out.. All of this is fake and the only purpose is to steal your money and information.

The scam also asks you to install an app, which can show you profits.. Eventually it will block your withdrawals and stop responding to you.

4. Why is this not possible?

It is not possible to get high returns on an investment. Even the best investments do not give you thousands of percent returns in a month. Any scheme that promises this is likely to be a scam.

Legitimate investments, like bank deposits or mutual funds have known risks and returns. They are regulated by the government. Do not promise unusually high returns.

5. What is the government doing?

The government has flagged the video and warned people not to click on the links or share their information. The Press Information Bureau has said that the video is entirely fabricated and AI-generated. The government has also asked people to report the content and block the posts.

6. Why is AI a problem here?

AI can create convincing fake videos and audios. Scammers are using this technology to create content that can deceive people. This is a growing problem and governments and platforms are struggling to keep up.

7. How to spot a scam?

If you see an investment ad or video look for these signs:

* returns

* Use of figures without verification

* Sponsored posts with links and immediate registration calls

* Requests for documents upfront

* Pressure to recruit others

If you see several of these signs it is likely a scam.

8. What to do if you clicked or entered details?

If you clicked on the link. Entered your details stop interacting with the platform immediately. Take screenshots of the ad, video and any pages you reached. If you shared your bank or UPI details contact your bank. Report the transaction as fraudulent. If you shared your identity documents consider filing a complaint with the cybercrime authorities.

9. What is the law?

In India, cyber frauds and phishing are punishable under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. You can report complaints to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or local cyber police units. If you lost money you can also report it to the bank and the RBI.

10. Why do these scams work?

Scams work because they exploit biases and platform economics. People are tempted by the promise of money and they trust endorsements by public figures. Scammers use comments and testimonials to create a herd effect. They also use platform economics to target demographics cheaply.

11. How are platforms responding?

Platforms are trying to enforce their policies against ads but it is a challenge. Authorities and fact-checkers are adapting by publishing rebuttals and urging platforms to pull sponsored ads that promote illicit or misleading financial services. However mitigation is partially reactive and public literacy and cautious behavior remain essential.

12. What can you do?

Do not rush into investments. Take time to verify a platform through sources. Check the status of the platform and use regulated channels like bank fixed deposits or recognized mutual fund houses. Diversify your investments. Learn about the basic risk-return tradeoff. If you are unsure consult a financial planner.

13. Final takeaway

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Never send money or personal identity documents in response, to ads or social posts. Verify claims via channels and report and block suspicious accounts. Quick reporting helps protect others.