Fact Check: Is India Post Offering a ₹20,000 “Chhath Puja Subsidy”?

ByFactcheck India

October 28, 2025 #cyber fraud India, #disinformation, #Fact Check India, #FactCheckIndia, #Fake news, #fake WhatsApp message, #fakecheck, #government scheme hoax, #India, #India Post Chhath Puja subsidy, #India Post lucky draw, #phishing scam, #PIB Fact Check,#TruthXIndia

Viral WhatsApp messages claiming India Post is offering a ₹20,000 Chhath Puja Subsidy are fake. PIB Fact Check confirms no such government scheme exists.

Claim

India Post offering ₹20,000 Chhath Puja Subsidy through lucky draw

Verdict

The claim is false.

What Is The Viral Claim

A viral message circulating on WhatsApp and social media claims that India Post is offering citizens a ₹20,000 “Chhath Puja Subsidy” or a “lucky draw reward” as part of festive celebrations. The message includes a link directing users to a website that looks similar to an official government portal. According to a clarification issued by the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check Unit, no such subsidy or scheme has been announced by India Post or any other central government department.

Factcheck India stated clearly that the viral message is fake and part of a cyber scam designed to trick users into sharing their personal and financial details.

What the Factcheck India Found

“A fake message is being circulated on WhatsApp claiming that India Post is providing a ₹20,000 ‘Chhath Puja Subsidy’ through a lucky draw. India Post has not announced any such offer. Citizens are advised not to click on such fraudulent links or share personal information.”

(Source: PIB Fact Check, @PIBFactCheck on X)

⚠️ "India Post Chhath Puja Subsidy" के नाम पर चल रहे ऑनलाइन फ्रॉड से सावधान रहें❗#Whatsapp पर एक फर्जी लिंक के जरिए दावा किया जा रहा है कि भारतीय डाक विभाग लकी ड्रा के माध्यम से ₹20,000 की सब्सिडी दे रहा है#PIBFactCheck:

❌यह दावा पूरी तरह #फर्जी है
➡️@IndiaPostOffice का… pic.twitter.com/nSLfYypAUg
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) October 26, 2025

How the Scam Works

The fraudulent messages typically contain:

A fake link that looks similar to an official India Post or government website.
A form asking for bank details, Aadhaar numbers, or OTPs to claim the “reward.”

Once victims enter their data, scammers use it for financial fraud or identity fraud.

What Citizens Should Do

If you receive such a message:

Do not click on suspicious links.
Do not share your bank details, Aadhaar, or OTPs.
Delete the message immediately.
Warn your friends and family to stay alert.

How to Report Online Fraud

1. Report to Social Media Platforms

All major social media intermediaries allow users to report fake or fraudulent content directly through their platforms. You can also file a complaint at the official Government of India cybercrime portal:
🔗 Visit: https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/report_abuse_social_media.aspx

2. Report Fraudulent Communication via “Chakshu”

The Chakshu feature on the Sanchar Saathi portal allows citizens to report fraudulent calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages that attempt to impersonate government agencies, banks, or telecom operators.

🔗 Visit: https://sancharsaathi.gov.in

Conclusion

The viral claim that India Post is offering a ₹20,000 Chhath Puja Subsidy or Lucky Draw reward is completely false. It is a phishing scam aimed at defrauding users and stealing personal information.Citizens are advised to stay alert and always verify such claims through sources like Factcheck India.