PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF CITRUS CHECK INNS LIMITED AND ROYAL TWINKLE STAR CLUB PVT. LTD FOR REFUND — How to Identify & Stay Safe

Severity: MEDIUM | View Full Scam Details

Beware the 2026 Refund Scam in India: PUBLIC NOTICE ON CITRUS CHECK INNS AND ROYAL TWINKLE STAR CLUB INVESTMENT FRAUD

A growing number of Indian investors are falling prey to fake refund schemes linked to the Citrus Check Inns Limited and Royal Twinkle Star Club Pvt. Ltd public notices, risking their hard-earned money.

What Is the PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE MATTER OF CITRUS CHECK INNS LIMITED AND ROYAL TWINKLE STAR CLUB PVT. LTD FOR REFUND?

In 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a public notice regarding refund processes connected to Citrus Check Inns Limited and Royal Twinkle Star Club Pvt. Ltd. These companies have been under scrutiny for irregularities in their investment schemes. Following such announcements, multiple fraudsters have increasingly targeted Indian retail investors who had previously invested in these companies, claiming they can facilitate quick refunds or compensation.

These investment scams specifically target people who invested through unofficial channels or local agents and are now anxious after seeing news about SEBI’s notice. Fraudsters exploit this fear by offering fake “help” through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. In India, such scams are widespread due to the growing penetration of the internet and mobile apps but limited financial literacy, especially about verified refund procedures.

Government bodies including SEBI and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have been warning about these fraudulent refund schemes. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and CERT-In have also released advisories about scams leveraging fake refunds and impersonation tactics. Despite these warnings, many investors fall for phishing links, fake customer service numbers, and fraud calls.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Social Media Lure: Scammers create fake Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups claiming to be authorized representatives who can speed up refunds for Citrus Check Inns and Royal Twinkle Star Club investors.
2. Initial Contact: They message or call victims, often those who publicly commented about investments or complaints on social media. The chat or call starts with assurances of guaranteed ROI recovery or compensation.
3. Emotional Manipulation: Scammers pose as SEBI agents, bank officials, or company associates. They use official-sounding language and sometimes fake documents or logos to build trust.
4. Request Personal Details: Victims are asked to share sensitive data like Aadhaar numbers, bank account details, or UPI IDs “to process refunds.”
5. Payment Requests: Before any refund, victims are told to pay a “processing fee,” “tax deduction,” or “verification charge” via UPI, net banking, or even cash deposit at specific bank accounts controlled by scammers.
6. Money Theft: Once the victim pays, scamsters disappear or ask for more money citing pending government charges. Victims lose money with no refund in sight.
7. Further Exploitation: In some cases, Aadhaar details or bank info are misused to impersonate victims for additional fraud or SIM swap attacks.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited messages or calls claiming to offer guaranteed refunds or quick compensation.
• Requests for upfront payments (processing or tax fees) via UPI or direct bank transfer before any official refund.
• Callers posing as SEBI or bank officials but refusing to provide verifiable employee ID or official contact.
• Pressure tactics like “limited-time offers” or emotional pleas emphasizing your “right to money.”
• Poor grammar, spelling errors, or inconsistent company logos in messages or emails.
• Requests to share sensitive personal data like Aadhaar or bank account details over WhatsApp or unknown websites.
• Links to unofficial websites that mimic SEBI or RBI portals but with suspicious URLs.

What Happens to Victims

Victims of this scam often suffer significant financial loss as funds sent through UPI or net banking cannot be reversed easily, especially if the payment is marked as “goods and services.” Many lose thousands to lakhs of rupees, draining their savings. Besides the financial impact, victims experience emotional distress from betrayal and fear of compromised personal data.

In some cases, misuse of Aadhaar details leads to further crimes like identity theft or fraudulent loans. SIM swap scams connected with leaked information can lock victims out of their mobile banking apps, making it harder to recover losses. This snowball effect creates long-lasting damage to victims’ finances and peace of mind.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India has issued multiple advisories cautioning against refund-related scams, highlighting that legitimate financial refunds never require upfront fees or disclosure of sensitive information to unknown agents. RBI’s customer helpline (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) can be contacted for assistance.

CERT-In, India’s national cybersecurity agency, urges citizens to be wary of phishing attempts and to verify official communication channels. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) also recommends reporting suspicious calls and messages immediately.

For cybercrime related to this scam, victims can dial the national cybercrime helpline at 1930, which provides guidance and escalation support.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Official Notices: Always check SEBI’s official website or trusted government portals for refund notices or schemes before acting on any message.
2. Ignore Unsolicited Offers: Do not respond to random calls or messages offering quick refunds or asking for money.
3. Never Share Aadhaar or Bank Info: Do not disclose Aadhaar numbers, UPI PINs, OTPs, or bank details to anyone over phone or WhatsApp.
4. Check URLs Carefully: Avoid clicking on links that do not end with “.gov.in” or official SEBI domains.
5. Do Not Pay Upfront Fees: No genuine refund process requires paying a fee in advance.
6. Use Official Helplines: Contact SEBI, RBI, or CERT-In official numbers to confirm any refund or investment-related communication.
7. Regularly Update Mobile Security: Use app locks, change UPI PINs periodically, and register for mobile alerts on all transactions through banks.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

1. Immediately Block the Scammer: Stop any communication on WhatsApp or social media.
2. Alert Your Bank: Contact your bank to freeze your accounts or UPI transactions and report possible fraud.
3. Change UPI PINs and Passwords: Secure all financial apps and internet banking immediately.
4. Report to Cybercrime: File a complaint on the government cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline 1930.
5. Notify the Telecom Provider: If you suspect SIM swap or Aadhaar misuse, contact your mobile operator and request a number block or re-verification.
6. Gather Evidence: Keep screenshots, call records, and messages for filing police complaints.
7. File FIR: Approach your local police station or cybercrime cell with all details for official investigation support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is SEBI involved in contacting investors directly for refunds?
A: No. SEBI does not contact investors via WhatsApp, Facebook, or phone calls for refund processing. They publish official notices only on their verified website.

Q: Can I get my refund by paying a processing fee upfront?
A: Legitimate refunds do not require any advance payment. Paying upfront to an unknown party is a scam risk.

Q: How do I verify if a message about Citrus Check Inns refunds is genuine?
A: Cross-check any such messages with SEBI’s official portal and do not trust social media announcements. When in doubt, contact RBI or CERT-In helplines for confirmation.

If you receive suspicious refund messages or calls related to Citrus Check Inns or similar schemes, do not rush. Always verify before sharing personal or financial information. Stay safe, and report suspicious activities immediately on BharatSecure.app—India’s trusted platform for protecting you against digital fraud.