Posts offering a free electric cycle for a small registration fee are almost always scams. The offers look attractive, spread quickly on social media and are designed to collect money or personal data.
Warning signs
- A request to pay money first
- Unknown links that ask for Aadhaar and bank details
- Fake news screenshots with no source
- Websites with spelling errors or odd domain names
- A claim that the offer is ‘for the first 1000 people only’
Safe practices
- Open only official .gov.in or .nic.in websites for government schemes
- Never share your OTP, UPI PIN or card details
- Check the scheme with your local education or labour office
- Verify the dealer before paying any deposit
- Do not forward unverified messages to friends
What genuine offers look like
A genuine subsidy is announced through an official notification and applied through a government portal or an authorised dealer. The money, if any, is credited to your bank account, and you are never asked to send money to an individual.
| Genuine | Scam |
|---|---|
| Official notice and portal | Social media forward |
| No fee to apply | Registration or delivery fee |
| Bank transfer or discount at the dealer | Payment to a personal UPI ID |
If you have lost money
Call your bank at once, then call the national cyber crime helpline 1930 and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Keep screenshots and payment details.
Spread the word
Share this alert with family and friends. A short warning can save someone’s savings.
If it sounds too good to be true, check it on the official website first.
This guide is for general information only. We are not a government website. Rules and dates change, so confirm details on the official portal before you apply, and never pay anyone for a free scheme.
