HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/329

NBFCs: Stop Reporting Attempted Frauds Over ₹25 Lakh to RBI

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/329 · issued 13 Dec 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI withdraws the requirement for NBFCs to report attempted frauds of ₹25 lakh or more to its Fraud Monitoring Cell. However, such cases must still be placed before the Audit Committee of the Board with detailed analysis, and a yearly consolidated review must be submitted to RBI.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

As an NBFC compliance officer in Indore, Rohan must now only report attempted fraud cases of ₹25 lakh or more to the Audit Committee of the Board, providing details on how the attempt failed and measures taken to strengthen systems. He will also submit a yearly consolidated review of such cases to RBI, covering areas of operations, effectiveness of new processes, and trends over three years.

What changed

Previously, NBFCs had to report attempted fraud cases involving likely loss of ₹25 lakh or more to RBI's Fraud Monitoring Cell, Department of Banking Supervision. This circular discontinues that reporting practice effective from the date of the circular. The requirement to report such cases to the Audit Committee of the Board remains unchanged.

What it means for you

NBFCs now have reduced regulatory burden by no longer needing to file separate reports on attempted frauds to RBI's central office. However, internal governance requirements are strengthened as the Audit Committee must review each case with detailed information on modus operandi, how the attempt failed, and measures taken. Additionally, a yearly consolidated review must be submitted to RBI within three months of the end of the relative financial year, starting from the year ending March 31, 2013.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Residuary Non-Banking Companies (RNBCs), Audit Committees of NBFC Boards

❓ Common questions

Do we still need to report attempted frauds to RBI at all?

Yes, but only through the yearly consolidated review submitted within three months of the financial year-end. The individual case reporting to the Fraud Monitoring Cell is discontinued.

What details must the Audit Committee review for each attempted fraud?

The modus operandi, how the attempt did not materialize or was foiled, measures taken to strengthen systems, and new controls put in place in the area where fraud was attempted.

What is the threshold for reporting attempted frauds to the Audit Committee?

The threshold remains ₹25 lakh or more, as per the earlier Master Circular. Cases below this amount are not required to be reported under this circular.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/329 DNBS (PD).CC.No.315/03.10.42/2012-13 December 13, 2012 All Non Banking Financial Companies / Residuary Non Banking Companies Dear Sir / Madam, Frauds-Classification and Reporting Please refer to our Circular No 283 dated July 2, 2012 i.e. the Master Circular-Frauds – Future approach towards monitoring of frauds in NBFCs. 2. As per para 3.4 of the above mentioned circular, cases of attempted fraud, involving likely loss of Rs 25 lakh or more should be reported to the Central Office of the Reserve Bank, Department of Banking Supervision, Frauds Monitoring Cell and a copy endorsed to Central Office of the Reserve Bank, Department of Non-Banking Supervision indicating the modus operandi and how the fraud came to light. Such cases should not be included in the other returns to be submitted to the Reserve Bank. 3. On a review and as a part of rationalisation of process and procedures, it has been decided to amend para 3.4 of Master Circular DNBS.PD.CC. No.283/03.10.042/2012-13 dated July 02, 2012 on Frauds – Future approach towards monitoring of frauds in NBFCs. Accordingly, the practice of reporting attempted fraud cases of Rs 25 lakh or more to Reserve Bank of India, Fraud Monitoring Cell, Department of Banking Supervision, Central office may be discontinued from the date of the circular . 4. However, the NBFCs should continue to place the individual cases involving Rs 25 lakh or more before the Audit Committee of its Board as hitherto as per the instructions contained in above mentioned Master Circular. The report containing attempted frauds which is to be placed before the Audit committee of the Board should cover inter alia the following viz , The modus operandi of the attempted fraud. ‘ How the attempt did not materialize in the fraud or how the attempt failed / was foiled. The measures taken by the NBFC to strengthen the existing systems and controls New systems and controls put in place in the area where fraud was attempted. In addition yearly consolidated review of such cases detected during the year containing information such area of operations where such attempts were made, effectiveness of new process and procedures put in place during the year, trend of such cases during the last three years, need for further change in process and procedures, if any, etc as on March 31 every year starting from the year ending March 31, 2013 within three months of the end of the relative year. Yours faithfully, (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/329 · issued 13 Dec 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Who does what — compliance checklist
⚙️ Operations
  • Ensure the yearly review covers area of operations, effectiveness of new processes, trend over three years, and need for further changes.
💻 IT / Systems
  • Continue placing each such case before the Audit Committee of the Board with details on modus operandi, how the attempt failed, and systems strengthened.
📜 Compliance
  • Stop reporting attempted fraud cases of ₹25 lakh or more to RBI's Fraud Monitoring Cell, Department of Banking Supervision.
  • Prepare and submit a yearly consolidated review of attempted frauds detected during the year to RBI within three months of the end of the relative financial year, starting from the year ending March 31, 2013.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Residuary Non-Banking Companies (RNBCs), Audit Committees of NBFC Boards), your first concrete step on “NBFCs: Stop Reporting Attempted Frauds Over ₹25 Lakh to RBI” is: “Stop reporting attempted fraud cases of ₹25 lakh or more to RBI's Fraud Monitoring Cell, Department of Banking Supervision.” (RBI issued this 13 Dec 2012).

  1. Circular: RBI/2012-13/329 -- NBFCs: Stop Reporting Attempted Frauds Over ₹25 Lakh to RBI
  2. Issued: 13 Dec 2012
  3. Action required: Stop reporting attempted fraud cases of ₹25 lakh or more to RBI's Fraud Monitoring Cell, Department of Banking Supervision.
  4. Action required: Continue placing each such case before the Audit Committee of the Board with details on modus operandi, how the attempt failed, and systems strengthened.
  5. Action required: Prepare and submit a yearly consolidated review of attempted frauds detected during the year to RBI within three months of the end of the relative financial year, starting from the year ending March 31, 2013.
  6. Action required: Ensure the yearly review covers area of operations, effectiveness of new processes, trend over three years, and need for further changes.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7747&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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