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In a decisive move to strengthen investor protection and curb the proliferation of online investment scams, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has formally reached out to major social media platforms and internet search engine providers, urging them to deploy robust mechanisms that prevent misuse of their platforms for fraudulent financial activities.
This initiative is part of SEBI’s ongoing efforts to tackle digital-era financial frauds that have increasingly targeted retail investors through misleading advertisements, fake trading apps, and unregulated investment advice disseminated online.
Global Context and Alignment with IOSCO’s Call to Action
The regulatory push by SEBI follows a global call to action by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). In a statement dated May 21, 2025, IOSCO emphasized the critical role of online platform providers in mitigating investor harm and urged them to adopt stricter measures against online financial misconduct.
SEBI, a member of IOSCO, has expressed strong support for these global recommendations and is translating them into actionable measures tailored to the Indian context.
Key Measures Proposed for Platform Providers
To decisively address the challenges of online investment scams, SEBI has called upon digital platforms to prioritize and fast-track the following initiatives in India:
1. Mandatory Advertiser Verification in the Securities Market Domain
Social media and digital advertising platforms must implement mandatory verification systems ensuring that only SEBI-registered entities are permitted to advertise investment products or services.
This measure aims to eliminate fraudulent promotions and misleading financial content often circulated by unregistered entities.
2. Verified Status and Labelling for Registered Intermediary Apps
App stores and digital marketplaces are urged to introduce a distinct “verified” label for authentic and regulated trading applications.
The objective is to help investors distinguish legitimate apps from fraudulent ones, thereby reducing the risk of scams through fake trading platforms.
Investor Advisory: Vigilance Remains Critical
While SEBI intensifies its regulatory coordination with digital intermediaries, it has once again urged investors to remain vigilant and conduct due diligence before making any financial commitments online.
The regulator has reiterated the following essential steps for investor safety:
- Verify Registration: Before investing, confirm whether the entity is registered with SEBI by visiting the Official SEBI Intermediaries Page.
- Use Only Authentic Trading Apps: Conduct all transactions exclusively through verified trading applications of SEBI-registered intermediaries. Investors can verify app authenticity via SEBI Investor Support Portal.
- Ensure Secure Payments: Use only “Validated UPI Handles” (those ending with “@valid”) of SEBI-registered investor-facing intermediaries and utilize the “SEBI Check” platform at https://siportal.sebi.gov.in/intermediary/sebi-check or through the Saarthi app.
(Refer: Press Release No. 64/2025 for more details on the “Validated UPI” framework.)
Strengthening Investor Protection in the Digital Era
Online financial frauds have emerged as a major concern globally, with scammers exploiting social media advertisements, search engine results, and fake mobile apps to lure unsuspecting investors. SEBI’s initiative to involve platform providers directly represents a proactive regulatory stance, ensuring accountability extends beyond financial intermediaries to the digital ecosystems that enable investment-related content.
By reinforcing the need for verified advertising, regulated trading environments, and cross-platform cooperation, SEBI aims to foster a safer, more transparent digital investment landscape.
Issued by:
Department of Economic and Policy Analysis
SEBI Press Release No. 69/2025:
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Mumbai, November 6, 2025