Can you get crores of rupees in exchange for an old banknote? Find out the truth.

Cyber ​​Fraud Alert: A claim is going viral on social media stating that ₹1 crore will be awarded in exchange for an old ₹5 banknote. Find out the truth behind this viral claim.

Cyber ​​Fraud Alert: Fake claims frequently go viral on social media. Surprisingly, many people believe these claims to be true and fall prey to cyber fraudsters, losing their hard-earned money in the process. A moment of carelessness can lead to financial loss, so it is important to keep certain precautions in mind.

A recent incident from Faridabad, Haryana, highlights this issue; a man was lured with the promise of receiving ₹1 crore in exchange for an old ₹5 banknote. He fell for the fraudsters' scheme and ended up losing lakhs of rupees.

What is the full story?

A resident of Sector-8, Faridabad (Haryana), saw an advertisement on Facebook offering ₹1 crore in exchange for an old ₹5 banknote. He called the number listed in the ad. The person who answered identified himself as a company official and asked for a photograph of the ₹5 note, which the man subsequently sent.

The fraudsters then told him he would receive ₹1 crore for the note but had to first deposit money for GST, airport fees, sales tax, and other charges. The man deposited a total of ₹1,02,267 from various bank accounts but never received the promised money. He subsequently filed a complaint at the police station.

What is the truth behind this viral claim?

The viral claim circulating on social media—that one can get ₹1 crore for an old ₹5 banknote—is completely fake. Neither the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) nor the Government of India offers any money in exchange for old banknotes. This claim is merely a ploy to defraud people.

What should you do?

Do not trust viral claims made in the name of the RBI or any government institution. Also, do not share your personal information by trusting strangers.
Do not click on links associated with viral claims seen on social media platforms.
Such fake claims frequently go viral, so it is best not to trust them blindly.

Steps to take in case of fraud

• If you fall victim to cyber fraud, call the national cyber helpline number 1930 immediately without wasting any time.
• Additionally, file a complaint on the Government of India's official cybercrime portal.
• Inform your bank about the incident so that any further transactions from your account can be halted.
• Also, keep all relevant evidence, such as transaction details and chat logs, with you.
• All this information could prove useful during the investigation.