Government Issues Fraud Alert Ahead of 19th Installment
A major fraud targeting beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has been uncovered. Ahead of the 19th installment of ₹2000, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Government of India have issued an alert, published in newspapers, warning farmers of a new scam. Beneficiaries are cautioned that an attempt to secure their ₹2000 payment could result in significant financial loss if they are not careful.
How the New PM Kisan Scam Works
Scammers are circulating fake application files on a large scale through online groups. These files, often disguised as PDFs or links for schemes like the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana or PM Fasal Bima Yojana, prompt farmers to perform their e-KYC. The fraudulent messages create a sense of urgency, warning that failure to use the app will result in their next installment being cancelled. However, the moment you click on this link and install the application, your entire system and personal data can be hacked. This fraud is not limited to the PM Kisan scheme; fake applications have been created for many other government schemes as well.
A Single Click Can Empty Your Bank Account
Farmers are being warned that one wrong click could lead to their bank accounts being emptied. Scammers are taking advantage of the e-KYC requirement to prey on unsuspecting beneficiaries. While the central government has launched a genuine PM Kisan mobile application to help farmers check their payment status, fraudsters are exploiting this by creating convincing fake versions. When a farmer downloads one of these fraudulent apps from a group and enters their details, hackers can take control of their phone and SIM card, allowing them to withdraw money from the farmer’s account.
How to Protect Yourself from This Fraud
To stay safe, you must only use official channels for any government scheme. For any work related to the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, such as completing e-KYC or checking your status, you must use the official PM Kisan portal. Alternatively, you can visit the official portal for any other scheme, like the Ayushman Card.
If you need assistance, it is best to visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) to get the work done securely. Be extremely cautious of files shared on your phone. If you receive a file that ends in “.APK”, do not click on it. Official government websites will typically have a domain ending in “.gov”. Only download the official PM Kisan application from the genuine app store, not from a link shared in a group.
What to Do If You Become a Victim
Thousands of such fraud cases have already been reported across the country. If you or someone you know falls victim to this cyber fraud, you should immediately report the incident by calling the helpline number 1930.
