A deposit or investment offer can look convincing because it uses professional documents, local representatives, referral rewards or the language of banking. That does not prove the organisation is authorised to accept money from the public.
The Reserve Bank of India’s Sachet portal helps people find information about regulators and report suspected unauthorised deposit collection. It is a reporting and coordination facility—not a shortcut that guarantees recovery.
This guide explains how to examine a deposit offer, when Sachet may be appropriate and what evidence to preserve before filing information or a complaint.
What Is the RBI Sachet Portal?
Sachet is a mobile-friendly portal launched by the Reserve Bank of India in August 2016. Its purpose includes helping the public and regulators address unauthorised acceptance of deposits and related financial activities.
RBI’s launch information states that members of the public can file and track a complaint when an entity has illegally accepted money or defaulted in repayment of deposits. People can also share information about a suspected entity. RBI announcement on Sachet
The official portal is available at sachet.rbi.org.in.
Sachet Portal at a Glance
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Who operates the portal? | Reserve Bank of India |
| Main purpose | Information and complaints concerning suspected unauthorised deposit collection and related activities |
| Can information be shared? | Yes, subject to the portal’s current form and classification |
| Can a complaint be tracked? | RBI’s published description says complaints can be filed and tracked |
| Does Sachet guarantee repayment? | No |
| Is it the same as RBI CMS? | No. CMS handles eligible service complaints against RBI-regulated entities under the applicable framework |
| Should urgent cyber fraud wait? | No. Contact the bank and use the appropriate cybercrime reporting channel immediately |
What Is an Unauthorised Deposit Scheme?
A deposit-taking arrangement can involve collecting money with a promise to return it later, often with interest, profit, gifts or another benefit. The legal position depends on the structure of the scheme, the entity involved and the regulator responsible for that activity.
Warning signs can include:
- Assured returns far above ordinary market rates
- No clear explanation of the regulator
- Money collected in personal accounts
- Cash accepted without a proper receipt
- Returns funded mainly through new members
- Heavy rewards for recruitment
- Difficulty withdrawing principal
- Pressure to renew a matured deposit
- Frequent changes in company name or address
- Claims that registration under an unrelated law authorises deposit taking
A high return alone does not establish illegality, and a registration certificate alone does not prove that an entity may accept public deposits. Verify the exact permission relevant to the product.
Registration Is Not the Same as Permission
An organisation may display a company-registration number, tax registration, local licence or membership certificate. Such records may confirm that an entity exists, but they do not automatically authorise every financial activity it offers.
Before paying, ask:
- Which regulator supervises this product?
- Is the entity authorised to accept this type of money?
- Can the authorisation be verified on the regulator’s official website?
- Who legally owes the repayment?
- Where is the money held?
- What are the withdrawal and cancellation rules?
- Is the promised return fixed, estimated or market-linked?
- What happens if the entity fails?
Sachet vs RBI CMS vs Cybercrime Reporting
| Route | Use it for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Sachet | Suspected unauthorised deposit collection, illegal acceptance of money or repayment default covered by its current categories | That filing guarantees recovery |
| RBI CMS | Eligible complaints about deficiency in service by an RBI-regulated entity after following the applicable complaint process | That every investment dispute falls under the Ombudsman framework |
| 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in | Urgent cyber-enabled financial fraud and online scam reporting in India | That a Sachet filing replaces immediate bank and cybercrime action |
| Police or other authority | Possible criminal conduct, forgery, threats or offences under applicable law | That an online portal replaces all legal remedies |
If money has just been transferred through an online scam, contact the bank or payment provider immediately and use India’s applicable 1930 financial-cyber-fraud channel and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
How to Check a Deposit Offer Before Paying
1. Identify the legal entity
Record the complete registered name, address, directors or responsible persons and official contact details. A brand name can differ from the legal entity receiving money.
2. Identify the regulator
Different products may fall under different authorities. Do not rely on the seller’s statement. Use the regulator’s official register or helpline.
3. Check where payment goes
A request to pay a promoter, employee, personal UPI ID or unrelated company is a serious warning sign. The recipient should match the written agreement and verified entity.
4. Read the repayment terms
Check maturity, early withdrawal, penalties, nomination, interest calculation and the procedure after the depositor’s death.
5. Question guaranteed returns
Ask how the return is generated and what risks exist. An investment that claims both unusually high returns and no risk deserves close scrutiny.
6. Check independently
Do not use only the phone number or website supplied by the agent. Find the regulator and entity through independent official sources.
7. Take time
A legitimate financial decision should withstand careful review. “Today only” pressure is a common social-engineering technique.
Evidence to Preserve
Before filing information or a complaint, preserve:
- Receipt or deposit certificate
- Application form and agreement
- Bank statement or transaction reference
- Promotional brochure or advertisement
- Website address and profile links
- Messages, emails and call details
- Name and contact information of the representative
- Promised maturity date and amount
- Withdrawal request and the entity’s response
- Names of other affected depositors, with their consent
Keep original files whenever possible. Screenshots are useful, but an original PDF, email header, transaction record or signed document can contain additional evidence.
How to File on the Sachet Portal
- Open sachet.rbi.org.in directly.
- Read the current categories for sharing information or lodging a complaint.
- Select the category that accurately describes the issue.
- Enter the entity and transaction details truthfully.
- Describe what was promised, when money was paid and what happened afterward.
- Upload only relevant evidence through the official portal.
- Review personal information before submission.
- Save the acknowledgement or reference number.
- Track the case and respond to legitimate requests for clarification.
The receiving authority and follow-up process can depend on the activity, location and regulator. Filing on Sachet does not prevent a person from using another appropriate legal or police route.
How to Write a Useful Complaint
A clear complaint should state facts in chronological order:
- Who collected the money
- How the offer was presented
- Date and method of payment
- Amount paid
- Return or repayment promised
- Maturity or withdrawal date
- Attempts made to recover the money
- Current status
- Evidence attached
Avoid exaggeration, insults or unverified accusations. Describe what you personally know and label second-hand information clearly.
Protect Your Privacy When Reporting
- Upload evidence only through the genuine official form.
- Do not post account numbers or identity documents on social media.
- Do not send OTPs, PINs or passwords to anyone offering recovery help.
- Redact unrelated personal information when the form permits it.
- Keep the complaint reference private.
- Verify calls claiming to come from an authority through an official contact channel.
Recovery Scam Warning
Victims are sometimes targeted again by people promising to recover the money. Be cautious if someone:
- Demands an advance recovery fee
- Claims to have a special RBI connection
- Requests remote access to the phone
- Asks for an OTP or banking PIN
- Promises guaranteed refund within hours
- Requests payment to a personal account
- Uses a forged authority letter
RBI does not need a private “release fee” paid to an agent before accepting a complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Sachet confirm that every company is genuine?
No. It helps with regulatory information and reporting, but consumers should verify the entity and product through the relevant regulator’s official resources.
Does filing a complaint guarantee repayment?
No. Investigation, jurisdiction, available assets and legal processes affect the outcome.
Is Sachet only for online scams?
No. Its purpose includes unauthorised deposit collection and related activities, which can occur online or offline.
Should I use Sachet for a normal bank-service complaint?
A service complaint against an RBI-regulated entity may belong in the entity’s grievance process and, if eligible, RBI CMS. Use the route that matches the issue.
What if the payment was made today through UPI?
Contact the bank or payment provider immediately and use the applicable 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in process. Do not wait for another portal to respond.
Can I name a company publicly after filing?
Public accusations can create defamation and legal risk. Share evidence with the competent authority and avoid presenting an unverified allegation as a proven fact.
Conclusion
The best time to investigate a deposit scheme is before transferring money. Identify the legal entity, verify the relevant authorisation and read the repayment terms independently.
If an entity appears to be collecting deposits without authority or refuses repayment, preserve the evidence and use the appropriate official channel. Sachet can help route information and complaints, but it does not guarantee recovery.
Information was checked against RBI and Government of India resources on October 12, 2026. Portal categories and reporting procedures can change. This article is general financial-safety information, not personalised legal or investment advice.
