The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a strong public advisory cautioning investors and citizens against fake communications falsely claiming to originate from the regulator.
According to SEBI, individuals have received fraudulent notices and messages, often disseminated via social media, wherein the senders impersonate SEBI officials using forged letterheads, logos, seals, and even fabricated sale or recovery certificates. In some cases, victims were asked to pay fines under the pretext of avoiding regulatory action.
The regulator emphasised that such communications are entirely illegitimate and may involve forged documents, including fake sale certificates for PACL properties and fictitious third-party vendor account usage approvals.
SEBI has urged the public to exercise caution and verify any suspicious communication by cross-checking it on the official SEBI website (www.sebi.gov.in)
Orders, recovery certificates, and official communications can be verified through dedicated sections on the site, including a system for authenticating document identification numbers (UDINs). The website also provides a directory of SEBI officials along with their official contact details and all legitimate emails.
Investors are advised to remain vigilant and avoid responding to or acting on unsolicited communications demanding information or payments on behalf of SEBI without proper verification.
