## RBI Proposes 1-Hour Delay for Digital Payments as Fraud Losses Explode to ₹22,931 Crore
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is proposing a radical new safeguard for digital payments: a mandatory one-hour delay on certain transactions. This unprecedented intervention is a direct response to a staggering surge in digital payment fraud, with reported losses skyrocketing from ₹551 crore in 2021 to a massive ₹22,931 crore in 2025, according to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

The central bank's discussion paper highlights the evolving threat landscape, where fraudsters now deploy sophisticated tactics like bogus call centers, deepfake impersonation, and mule account networks. The RBI specifically targets Authorised Push Payment (APP) frauds, where victims are tricked into authorizing payments themselves, leaving banks with limited scope for recovery. The proposed one-hour lag on APP transactions is designed to give both the payer a critical window to reconsider and the bank's systems time to flag suspicious activity for intervention.

This proposal places immense pressure on banks and payment service providers to enhance their real-time fraud detection capabilities within that narrow window. It also signals a fundamental shift in regulatory philosophy, moving from post-facto redressal to proactive, systemic friction to protect consumers. The RBI is seeking public comments on these measures until May 8, 2026, setting the stage for a major policy debate that will shape the future of India's digital finance ecosystem, balancing security against the demand for instant, seamless transactions.
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- **Source**: Medianama
- **Sector**: The Vault
- **Tags**: Digital Payments, Financial Fraud, Regulation, Cybersecurity, Banking
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-04-12 07:03:18
- **ID**: 60473
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/60473