RBI launched ‘RBI Reelathon 2026,’ a statewide campaign targeting students against cyber fraud.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Thiruvananthapuram, has launched RBI Reelathon 2026, a state-wide mass awareness campaign targeting college students to combat the growing menace of cyber-enabled financial frauds.

Ravada Chandrasekhar, Director General of Police highlighted the alarming rise in cybercrimes and stressed that cyber fraud is no longer merely a technological issue but a serious social challenge affecting people across all sections of society.

The DGP cautioned against emerging cyber threats such as fraudulent investment schemes, digital arrest scams, illegitimate loan applications, fake job offers and mule account networks. Cybercriminals increasingly target young people through social engineering and misuse of digital platforms, he said.

Praveen Kumar Vasantha Ramachandran, Regional Director, RBI Thiruvananthapuram said Kerala has witnessed a sustained rise in cyber-enabled financial frauds, particularly those involving illegitimate loan applications and mule accounts. Highlighting the rationale behind the campaign, he said social media platforms have become the primary medium through which young people consume information and that RBI Reelathon seeks to leverage student creativity to create awareness content capable of reaching audiences far beyond conventional financial literacy campaigns.

RBI Reelathon 2026 is designed as a three-phase state-wide awareness initiative. During the first phase, awareness programmes on smart borrowing and safe digital banking will be conducted across approximately 150 colleges. The second phase will feature a reel-making competition in which students will create short videos on themes such as illegitimate loan applications, mule accounts, digital financial frauds and cyber hygiene. Following multiple rounds of evaluation, shortlisted entries will compete in a Gala Finale scheduled later this year.

Published on June 16, 2026