Claim: A viral WhatsApp message claims that the Ministry of Finance is offering ₹46,715 to every Indian citizen as financial assistance.
Verdict: False. No such scheme has been announced by the Government of India. The message is fake and potentially part of a phishing scam.
What is the Viral Claim?
A widely circulated message on WhatsApp and social media platforms claims that the Indian Finance Ministry is offering ₹46,715 to every citizen to help them cope with economic hardship. The message reads:
“Considering the financial crisis faced by Indian citizens, the Finance Ministry has decided to provide Rs 46,715 to each individual to ease the burden.”
The message appears to target economically vulnerable groups and gives the impression that this is a government-backed direct cash benefit scheme for their benefit.
What Did PIB Fact Check Say?
The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit investigated this viral message and issued a clarification via X (formerly Twitter). The government confirmed that:
- No such scheme has been announced by the Ministry of Finance.
- The message is completely false.
- It could be part of a phishing scam meant to steal personal data through malicious links.
“Claim: Finance Ministry is giving ₹46,715 to all citizens. Fake.
No such scheme has been launched.
Beware of phishing links.” – PIB Fact Check on X
What Should You Do?
- Do not click on suspicious links or attachments from unknown sources.
- Do not share unverified messages, even if they appear helpful or urgent.
- Always verify news or schemes through official government websites or Factcheck India’s website.
Conclusion
The claim that the Finance Ministry is giving ₹46,715 to every citizen is fake. It is a phishing scam, and no such government scheme exists. Stay alert, don’t fall for online hoaxes, and help others stay informed. Scam messages like these often come with links that harvest personal data or infect devices with malware. Falling for such messages could lead to identity theft, financial loss, or misuse of sensitive personal information.