The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit on Saturday, 30 May debunked a fraudulent message circulating on social media, falsely claiming that India Post is offering gifts, rewards, or a lucky draw under a scheme called 'Dak Seva Gifts'. The government's fact-checking arm confirmed the claim is entirely fabricated and warned citizens against engaging with such links.

What the Fake Message Claims

The viral message alleged that India Post was running a reward or gift scheme under the 'Dak Seva Gifts' banner, potentially luring citizens into clicking suspicious links or surrendering personal information. The PIB Fact Check unit moved swiftly to counter the misinformation via its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).

“@IndiaPostOffice has no connection with any such 'Dak Seva Gifts' offer, reward scheme, or lucky draw. Do not click on any suspicious links or webpages and never share personal information such as bank details, OTP, or Aadhaar number,” the PIB Fact Check post stated.

How to Report Suspicious Content

The PIB unit also reminded citizens that any suspicious content — including links, messages, photos, or videos — related to the Central Government can be submitted directly to the PIB Fact Check team for verification. Officials urged the public not to share unverified claims and to verify information before acting on it.

A Pattern of Online Financial Fraud

This is not an isolated incident. Around the same period, the government also flagged a separate fraudulent investment scheme being circulated online using the name of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. That scheme, branded as 'Quantum AI', falsely promised a monthly income of ₹3,00,000 against an initial investment of ₹22,000.

The PIB Fact Check unit categorically labelled the Quantum AI platform as fraudulent, stating it has no affiliation with the Government of India or the finance minister. “Neither the Union Finance Minister nor the Government of India is endorsing any such investment scheme or platform,” the clarification noted.

Authorities warned that such schemes are specifically engineered to deceive citizens and cause financial loss, particularly by exploiting the credibility of government institutions and senior officials.

What Citizens Should Watch Out For

The PIB Fact Check unit has consistently flagged a rise in scams that impersonate government departments, ministers, and public-sector entities. Key red flags include promises of guaranteed high returns in a short period, requests for Aadhaar numbers, OTPs, or bank details, and links shared via messaging apps or social media that mimic official government portals.

As digital financial fraud continues to evolve in sophistication, the government's advisory serves as a reminder that no legitimate government scheme solicits personal or banking information through unofficial social media channels. Citizens are advised to cross-verify any such claims on the official PIB Fact Check portal before responding.