Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 03 September 2023
In a recent development, an alarming scam involving counterfeit RBI Master Cards has come to light. Unknown miscreants posing as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) staff have been sending fake RBI Master Cards to unsuspecting recipients, bearing their names and providing instructions on how to activate these fraudulent cards. These counterfeit cards, although visually convincing, have no ties to the RBI and are causing widespread concern.
The perpetrators of this scam have duped individuals into believing that they possess a legitimate RBI Master Card, which supposedly allows them to withdraw some amount of money i.e. Rs. 10,000 per transaction from ATMs. However, the true extent of the danger lies in the fact that the bank accounts linked to these counterfeit cards cannot be traced as the cards and the number of on it are fake, potentially leading to unforeseen legal troubles for cardholders.
The Reserve Bank of India has vehemently denied issuing any such Master Cards, making it clear that these circulating cards are entirely fabricated and fraudulent. This revelation has raised concerns about the possibility of card cloning by malicious actors, a process that could inadvertently turn cardholders into unwitting offenders, as they may unknowingly siphon funds from other bank accounts.
In light of these disturbing developments, authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution. Cardholders should be aware of the legal consequences that may arise if they inadvertently misuse these counterfeit cards.
To combat this fraudulent activity, individuals who have received these fake RBI Master Cards or believe they have been targeted by this scam are encouraged to contact the Cyber Cell in Port Blair for assistance. The Cyber Cell can be reached at 03192-230668.