SCAM Alert! Scam Network Targets Farmers With Fake Tractor Subsidy Scheme

Alankar Mishra

Author

Updated: 16-04-2025 at 12:51 PM

Scammers are tricking farmers into believing that tractors can be purchased with government subsidies of up to 50% under fake government schemes. Fraudsters claim to provide aid on tractors by famous brands like Mahindra, Eicher, and New Holland, which tempt victims into paying once and then never being heard from again.

A recent investigation has exposed several fraudulent websites that are actively running this scam. Many unsuspecting farmers have already lost their hard-earned money by paying application fees, fake state taxes, and other charges, only to receive nothing in return.

There is no such scheme as "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Tractor Yojana." The only legitimate government subsidy for tractor purchases is offered under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM). Farmers should refer to official sources before applying for any subsidy.

How The Scam Works

Scammers are incredibly clever about how they orchestrate their frauds. One tactic involves setting up fake government websites with promises of extravagant financial breaks to deceive farmers. After a person takes the bait, the fake payout scheme starts. This is how the scam works:

Fake Government Websites: Fraudsters create professional-looking websites mimicking real government portals.
Application Fee Trap: Victims are asked to pay an initial ₹4,250 as an "application fee."
Additional Charges: After payment, more demands appear:
₹20,000 as “State Tax”
₹28,500 as “Subsidy Insurance Charge”
₹77,800 as “Security Amount Advance”
Never-ending payments: After every payment, a new demand arises, with no confirmation or receipt issued.
Google Ads & Fake Addresses: Some of these websites run paid Google ads to appear credible. They list fake office addresses, further deceiving victims.

Fake Websites Exposed

Farmers are being scammed through the development of phishing websites that look legitimate. They spend their money through different means, such as advertising credibility, multi-step payments, and others. Some of the exposed phishing websites are given as follows:

Fraudulent Website	Tactics Used
tractorsubsdy. in	Demands multiple payments in stages
kisantractorsyojana.online	Uses fake official-sounding names
kissantractorsubsdy. in	No receipts or confirmations were provided
tractorschemeapply.com	Runs Google ads to attract victims
tractoryojana. in	Shares the same fake office address as others

Government’s Clarification

To protect farmers from these schemes, the government has provided some information.

There does not exist any scheme called “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Tractor Yojana”.
Financial aid for tractor purchase is available only under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM).
Farmers are best advised to consult government portals before they apply for any subsidy scheme.

Even the Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check team flagged as fake a number of these sites last year. These scammers, having been scooped, have started all over again.

How to Identify Fake Websites & Avoid Scams

Scams are becoming more prevalent as time passes, and fraudulent websites are perhaps the worst of them. So many lose their money because they blindly click the wrong link. If you are a bit alert, then you can identify and protect yourself from these scams very easily.

Check for Spelling & Grammar Errors: Poorly written words without any coherent structure are a tell-tale sign of fake websites.
Beware of Unverified Messages: SMS and emails from unrecognisable sources offering government relief should never be opened.
Verify Official Government Websites: Subsidy information should only be looked for in official portals or state agriculture departments' websites.
Look for Red Flags: Upfront payments, a lack of logos, and missing contact information are telltale signs of fraudulent websites.
Report Fraud: Use local government portals or cybercrime portals to report suspected scams.

Conclusion

Farmers need to stay alert to fake tractor subsidy scams. No government program gives a 50% subsidy on tractors under the name “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Tractor Yojana.”

For real help, always check the official government sites and never send money to dubious entities. If you notice fraudulent schemes, file a report so that you can protect yourself as well as others.

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