A viral YouTube post falsely claimed that the Indian government is distributing free scooters to women under a ‘Pradhan Mantri Free Scooty Yojana’.
The post promised 2,00,000 scooters across the country and urged women to apply immediately.
The misinformation originated from a video thumbnail uploaded by the channel RAJ CLASSES BUNDI. It displayed a fabricated application form with an urgent deadline, creating a false sense of scarcity.
The image overlaid a PIB Fact Check graphic, which clearly marked the claim as fake.
Officials from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that no such scheme exists.
They warned that these hoaxes exploit public interest in government benefits and often mislead citizens into sharing personal information on fraudulent platforms.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development urged citizens to rely only on verified government portals for information on empowerment programs.
Their website lists authentic schemes aimed at supporting women, providing education, financial aid, and skill development opportunities.
Fact-checkers highlighted that viral posts on social media often use eye-catching thumbnails and urgent messages to manipulate viewers.
In this case, the claim leveraged the appeal of free vehicles and financial empowerment to grab attention and drive engagement.
Authorities stressed that women should never share personal details or make payments in response to unverified online claims.
Scammers frequently exploit public trust in government initiatives to collect sensitive information or commit fraud.
PIB reiterated that citizens should verify schemes on official government websites before acting.
They encouraged users to report suspicious messages or videos to prevent further spread of misinformation.
This incident underscores the importance of digital literacy and cautious online behaviour.
By cross-checking facts and relying on credible sources, citizens can avoid falling prey to hoaxes while staying informed about genuine government programs.
The government continues to promote legitimate initiatives aimed at women’s empowerment.
Meanwhile, social media platforms and fact-check agencies are actively monitoring and debunking false claims to safeguard public interest.
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