New Delhi: A message claiming that major telecom providers Jio, Airtel, and Vi are offering three months of free recharge worth up to ₹799 to all Indians as part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations is making the rounds on social media and messaging platforms. The viral post, which includes a suspicious blog link, has been proven to be false.
The claim directs users to a website with the domain rakshbandhanm3.blogspot.com, which is neither an official telecom site nor associated with any government body. According to NewsMobile’s fact-check team, the page is misleading and likely part of a phishing scheme aimed at collecting personal information from unsuspecting users. Similar scams have been spotted in the past, often using festive occasions or trending events to lure victims.
In July 2024, India Today reported on a nearly identical hoax in which messages falsely claimed Jio was offering free recharges to mark a celebrity wedding. Jio at the time issued a public warning, advising customers to verify all offers through its official channels, such as the MyJio app or the company’s verified social media accounts.
Authorities and cybersecurity experts stress that people should exercise caution when presented with such enticing offers, especially when they originate from unofficial websites. Clicking on these links can expose users to malware, identity theft, and financial fraud.
As of now, neither Jio, Airtel, Vi, nor any government authority has announced any free recharge schemes for Raksha Bandhan. Consumers are urged to rely only on official communications and avoid sharing or engaging with suspicious links.