Aizawl, Aug 18 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the state governments to crack down on fake lotteries and people offering fictitious prize money through SMS, email and letters, RBI officials here said Wednesday.

The RBI has also asked people to remain alert to offers of fake award money and bogus lottery prizes.

‘According to the prevailing law, the Cyber Crime Cells (CCC) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the state police can take appropriate action and punish those involved in these crimes so that the public do not fall prey to such fake offers,’ RBI Regional Director Surekha Marandi told reporters.

People intermittently receive SMSs (short messaging service), emails and letters from mysterious sources making offers of fake reward and bogus lottery prizes.

The officials here said a large number of people have lost their hard earned money and savings after responding to those fraudulent offers.