Fact Check: Is Airtel Offering Free Recharge of ₹598 with Free Data?

Claim: Airtel offering Free Recharge of Rs. 598 with Free Data

Rating: False

What is rumour about?

A WhatsApp forward is circulating all over social media, stating that Airtel is offering a free recharge of Rs 598 amidst Coronavirus lockdown. 

Who started rumour?

• Social media users, especially WhatsApp
• Many mobile users who received WhatApp mess forwarded to 15 of ir contacts and thus mess became viral in country. 

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Republic World did a fact check on Airtel 598 free recharge rumour

• Republic World did a fact check on Airtel 598 free recharge viral mess and found claim to be FALSE. 
• scam website of Airtel states that by answering 4 questions correctly, one can get free recharge of Rs 598.
• URL of apparent scam website of Airtel states that it will give a free recharge with a validity of 84 days and an unlimited internet of 126 GB.
• link is to a website called 'freeairtel'. 
• URL asks 4 general kwledge questions in Hindi, following which it claims to provide recharge of Rs 598 after you send mess to 15 of your contacts. 

Im courtesy: freeairtel website

Fake Airtel website with fake offer - 

This is link to website which is luring people to click on ir URL while providing a free recharge of Rs. 598 for Airtel subscribers. website is called freeairtel and this is URL -  http://freeairtel.wahmusic.in/

• After answering last question, one can see below im on ir screen.
• p asks user for ir name and Airtel number. 
• Next, user gets a mess saying that y need to forward WhatsApp mess to 15 contacts, after which y can avail free recharge offer.
• offer is claimed to be a fake one, and one gets a free recharge by pursuing se steps. Neir is re any official information by Airtel regarding this free recharge offer amidst Coronavirus lockdown.  

Im courtesy: freeairtel website

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Google Trends

• Take a look at how much time Airtel free recharge keyword has been searched on Google after fake mess became viral in India. 
• rumour currently has maximum number of searches on March 31, 2020. 

Im courtesy: Google Trends

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Disclaimer: It is advised to away from any such scams and t participate in m. Unless you are completely sure of aunticity of website, do t share your personal details with any site. In this case, Airtel website URL is t of  official website, it is advised to t use any ufficial website links. 

Is re any rumour you want Republic World to do a fact check on? Do you have facts about a rumour? Share your pictures or videos with Republic World on contact@republicworld.com

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