RBI directs banks to keep watch on forex trading payments

18 Nov 2011 Evaluate

The Reserve bank of India (RBI) has directed banks dealing in foreign exchange (forex) to exercise caution in respect of transaction by Indian resident where margin payments through a credit card or deposit are required in view of the risk of fraud. ‘Banks were advised to exercise due caution and be extra vigilant in respect of the margin payments being made by the public for online forex trading transactions through credit cards / deposits in various accounts maintained with banks in India,’ the RBI said in a notification.

By adding further RBI said, banks were also advised to exercise due care in respect of the accounts being opened in the name of individuals or proprietary concerns at different bank branches for collecting the margin money, investment money, etc. in connection with such transactions. The RBI has observed cases where abroad foreign exchange trading has been introduced on a number of internet and electronic trading portals, attracting Indian residents with offers of guaranteed high returns based on such forex trading.

'The advertisements by these internet/online portals exhort people to trade in forex by way of paying the initial investment amount in Indian rupees. Some companies have reportedly engaged agents who personally contact people to undertake forex trading/investment schemes and entice them with promises of disproportionate/exorbitant returns,’ RBI said.

As per the RBI, majority of forex trading via such portals is done on margining basis with huge leverage or on an investment basis, where the returns are based on forex trading. The public is asked to make the margin payments for such online forex trading transactions via credit/deposits in various accounts maintained with banks in India. 

'It is also observed that accounts are being opened in the name of individuals or proprietary concerns at different bank branches for collecting the margin money, investment money, etc,' it said.  The RBI further, warned that any person who is residing in India and engaged in collecting or remitting such payments either directly or indirectly abroad would be liable to face action as per the rules of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and other laws.

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