A WhatsApp message promising a Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus from the Prime Minister is fake. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a scam alert on 2 November, according to Business Today, saying no such benefit has been announced. Do not click the link, do not enter any details, and do not forward it. As of 3 November 2026 this is the scam doing the rounds, but it is not the only one to watch for before Diwali.
With Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) on Sunday, 8 November 2026 and Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November, festive offers, gift messages and “bonus” claims will keep arriving this week. Scammers count on people being busy and generous at this time of year.
What the fake Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus message says
The message claims that the Government of India is giving eligible citizens an Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus in the Prime Minister’s name. It carries a link to a website where you are asked to register or claim the money. PIB Fact Check has called the message fraudulent and the website fake. The Cyber Crimes Unit in Hyderabad flagged it as phishing, and the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has also issued a warning, as reported by Business Today and Outlook Money.
According to those reports, the link may lead to a page that does one or more of these things:
- collects personal and banking details, including card information
- asks for a small “processing fee” to release the money
- tricks you into approving a UPI payment or sharing an OTP or UPI PIN
- pushes you to install a harmful app
Other festive-season scams to watch for
Scammers reuse the same tricks every festive season: a tempting offer, a link, and pressure to act quickly. Here are the patterns that official or press reports have flagged in 2026.
| Scam type | How it works | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Fake sale and shopping sites | CyberDost I4C, the government cybercrime awareness handle, warned on 21 October 2026 about ads that copy brand names, logos and sale designs and lead to lookalike websites. Payments go straight to scammers. | Deal link from an ad or sponsored search result, not the brand’s own app or site |
| Gift and lucky-draw messages | PIB Fact Check called a “Dak Seva Gifts” India Post reward scheme fake in a May 2026 post, saying India Post has no such offer or lucky draw. | Free gift that needs your bank, OTP or Aadhaar details |
| Malicious APK files | In July 2026, PIB Fact Check flagged an SMS and WhatsApp message asking people to install an APK to redeem fake SBI reward points. The bank does not send links or unsolicited APK files for rewards. | Any request to install an app from a message, not the Play Store or App Store |
| UPI collect requests | A collect request that asks you to approve and enter your UPI PIN sends money out, not in. Your PIN is never needed to receive money. | “Refund”, “cashback” or “prize” that needs your PIN |
| Fake government benefits | The Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus claim, which PIB says is not a real scheme. | Cash promised in the name of a leader or ministry, with a link to claim |
The common thread is simple: you only ever enter your UPI PIN to send money, and a genuine bank or government body will not ask you for your PIN or OTP over a call, SMS or WhatsApp.
Fake delivery or courier messages are another common festive-season trick. With heavy online shopping before Diwali, the safe habit is simple: track parcels only from the courier’s own app or the shopping app you used, never through a link in an unknown SMS.
What to do now
Before you click anything
- Pause when a message promises money, a gift or an expiring reward. Urgency is part of the trick.
- Do not tap links or open APK files sent over SMS or WhatsApp.
- Check any government scheme on an official government website, not from a forwarded message.
- Shop in the retailer’s official app or by typing the address yourself. I4C advises against clicking sponsored links, and suggests cash on delivery where possible so you can inspect the product.
- Never share an OTP or UPI PIN, and never pay a fee to receive a benefit.
For more on spotting genuine sales, see our guide to festive shopping tips. To see how caller identity checks are changing on your phone, read Caller Name Display from 1 November.
How to verify a viral claim with PIB Fact Check
PIB Fact Check accepts suspicious content about central government schemes on WhatsApp at +91 8799711259 or by email at [email protected]. Send a screenshot or the link, and do not forward the original message to friends.
If you already clicked or paid
- Call your bank straight away and ask to block the card, UPI handle or account if needed.
- Call the national cybercrime helpline 1930, or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. The Sanchar Saathi Chakshu page also points anyone who has already lost money to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
- If you installed an unknown app, uninstall it, and keep the screenshots and transaction details for your complaint.
- Change your banking passwords from a safe device.
Report fraud calls and messages with Chakshu
Chakshu is a facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal run by the Department of Telecommunications. You can report suspected fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages, such as messages impersonating a bank, payment wallet, KYC update or government official, as well as spam calls and SMS. Open the Chakshu page on Sanchar Saathi, choose “Suspected Fraud Communication” or “Spam”, click Proceed and file the report. The page says reports made within 30 days are investigated for action, so report soon after you receive the message.
For information only, not financial advice. If you use UPI abroad this season, our UPI abroad guide covers where it works and what it costs.
FAQ
Is there any Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus from the government?
No. PIB said the government has announced no such Diwali benefit. As of 3 November 2026, the message is flagged as a phishing scam.
Which date is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, 8 November 2026. Puja timings vary by city, so check a local panchang for exact muhurat.
What should I do if I clicked the link but did not enter anything?
Close the page, do not enter any details, and delete the message. If you installed an app or shared details, follow the steps in the “If you already clicked or paid” section and report to 1930.
Bottom line
The Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus is a scam, and the same warning applies to fake sale links, free gifts, APK files and unknown payment requests. Verify before you click, keep your OTP and UPI PIN to yourself, and report through PIB Fact Check, 1930 or Chakshu. Treat any message that offers money for a link or a fee as fake until proven otherwise.
Sources
- Business Today: Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus scam (3 November 2026)
- Outlook Money: Rs 8,000 Diwali WhatsApp message, PIB cautions users
- Sanchar Saathi (Department of Telecommunications): Chakshu reporting page
- Digit: Govt warns shoppers against fake festive sale offers
- Outlook Money: SBI fake reward APK scam flagged by PIB Fact Check
- IBTimes India: PIB Fact Check on fake India Post gifts message
- Vedantu: Diwali 2026 date and puja muhurat
- Wikipedia: Lakshmi Puja
