A viral message claiming that Jio is offering free recharge of ₹498, during the nationwide lockdown due to Coronavirus, is fake. A spokesman for Reliance Industries Ltd confirmed with BOOM that the website link being shared along with the message is not associated with Jio.
The fake message is viral in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing a 21-day national lockdown to arrest the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in India, on March 24, 2020. Demand for internet services have shot up as more Indians stay at home.
The message caption when translated from Hindi reads, "Jio is giving a free recharge of ₹ 498 to all Indian users in this difficult situation. So just click on the link below to get your free recharge. Please note: This offer is limited to 31 MARCH only!" It also carries a link to the fake website - jiofreecharge.
(In Hindi - Jio इस कठिन परिस्थिति में दे रहा है सभी इंडियन यूजर को ₹498 रूपए का फ्री रिचार्ज. तो अभी नीचे दी गई लिंक पर क्लिक करके अपना फ़्री रीचार्ज प्राप्त करें. कृपया ध्यान दे: 🙏 यह ऑफर केवल 31 MARCH तक ही सिमित है!)
BOOM received the forward on its WhatsApp helpline number (7700906111) inquiring about its veracity.
Viral on Facebook
On searching with the keywords - 'Jio 498' we found that the same false claim was being shared with a link to another fake website.
Click here to view, and here for an archive
Also Read: Scammers, Spammers Promise Free Netflix, Amazon Prime Streaming During Lockdown
FACT-CHECK
BOOM contacted a Reliance Industries Ltd's spokesperson who said that "This is not Jio's website. We have already reported the website to block them."
While writing this article, on opening the link in the viral message - 'jiofreerecharge', it showed that the website could not be reached.
However on opening another fake site - jio-offer.online that is also being shared, it opens with an image of Mukesh Ambani and the header above reading, "Free 498 Recharge For All Jio Users". On scrolling below the site asks users to enter their personal details like name, mobile number, and state.
Click here to view an archive.
The site mentions that it is not affiliated with Jio, however it uses the logo of the company and it is not clear what the site plans to do with the data being collected. This resembles techniques used by phishing sites that collect data aim of the site is to harvest personal details such as name and contact numbers.
BOOM has previously debunked such messages that promised free schemes and offers that were hosted on phishing websites. Read the detailed story below.
Also Read: Coronavirus: Viral Forward Promising Free Masks Is Fake