Government Shares Digital Payment Fraud Data and RBI Anti-Fraud Measures

In reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2432, the Government stated that digital payment frauds have increased in recent years alongside the growth in digital payment transactions. As per RBI data, year-wise details of digital payment frauds reported by banks and financial institutions from FY 2015-16 to FY 2025-26 have been provided, covering categories including credit cards, debit/ATM cards, internet banking, UPI, wallets/prepaid cards, IMPS/NEFT/RTGS, AEPS/Aadhaar-related frauds and other digital payment frauds, along with the number of frauds and amount involved. The Government stated that RBI issued the discussion paper “Exploring safeguards in digital payments to curb frauds” in April 2026 and that existing customer liability instructions issued on 6 July 2017 and revised directions on Compensation for Small Value Fraudulent Electronic Banking Transactions provide relief for eligible victims. It also stated that there is no centralised mechanism for capturing expenditure on cyber fraud awareness, while RBI, banks and NPCI have undertaken awareness programmes and public campaigns, including 1,489 e-BAAT programmes and the “Main Moorkh Nahi Hun” campaign.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2432

ANSWERED ON THE MONDAY, 3 AUGUST, 2026 / SHRAVANA 12, 1948 (SAKA)

Rise in Digital Payment Frauds

2432. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:

a. the details of the total number of digital payment frauds reported, category-wise, along with the total amount of money involved between 2015 and 2025, year-wise ;

b. the details of the amount recovered and returned to victims in such frauds during the same period, year-wise;

c. whether the Government has conducted any assessment regarding the rise in digital payment frauds and the vulnerability of senior citizens;

d. if so, the measures taken or being considered by the Government to address the crisis;and

e. the details of budget allocation and expenditure incurred on cyber fraud awareness and digital payment safety campaigns, since 2019, year-wise and activity-wise?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)

(a) and (b): With increasing digital payment transactions in the country, incidence of cyber frauds including digital payment frauds have also gone up in the last few years. As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the details of digital payment frauds reported by banks and financial institutions, during FY 2015-16 to FY 2025-26 is enclosed as Annex.

(c) and (d): RBI has issued a discussion paper titled “Exploring safeguards in digital payments to curb frauds” in April, 2026, highlighting the rapid growth of digital payments in India and the corresponding rise in Authorized Push Payment (APP) frauds, driven largely by social engineering and instant fund transfers. The security measures aim at safeguarding vulnerable customer segments undertaking specified digital payment transactions.

To help customers recover the loss on account of fraudulent transactions, RBI vide circular dated 6th July, 2017 issued instructions to the banks on limiting the liability of customers (viz. Zero liability, Limited liability and Liability as per Board-approved policy) in cases of unauthorised electronic banking transactions. Further, the RBI has recently issued revised directions on Compensation for Small Value Fraudulent Electronic Banking Transactions, introducing a one-time reimbursement facility of up to ₹50,000 for eligible customers who become victims of digital payment frauds, subject to 85 percent of their net loss or Rs. 25,000, whichever is lower. The revised framework seeks to provide prompt financial relief to customers while strengthening consumer confidence in digital payment systems.

(e): There is no centralised data capturing mechanism regarding expenditure incurred on cyber fraud awareness. In order to spread awareness against cyber-crimes and to safeguard interests of citizens, several steps have been taken by Government, RBI and Banks, which inter alia include:

i. RBI has conducted 1489 Electronic Banking Awareness and Training(e-BAAT) programmes to promote awareness and the safe use of digital payments across the country.

ii. In addition, Public Awareness Campaigns (PACs) on Money Mules are undertaken by the banks and RBI through multiple media platforms, such as television campaign, SMS, Print and social Media platforms.

iii. Similarly, National Payment Council of India (NPCI) is also running media campaign “Main Moorkh Nahi Hun” on all social media platforms such as Television, radio, youtube, Instagram, etc in 12 Indian languages to reach rural areas.

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Annex

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN PART(a) to (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2432 ON ‘RISE IN DIGITAL PAYMENT FRAUDS’ FOR ANSWER ON 03.08.2026.

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