Stock-tip scams in India change their names and apps all the time, but the pattern stays almost the same. Once you know the pattern, it's much easier to spot.
The usual pattern
- The hook: you are added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group, or you click an ad promising free stock lessons or "multibagger" tips.
- Trust: for a while, the group shares free tips and lessons. Other "members" post screenshots of big profits. Some of them may be part of the scam.
- Urgency: "Only 20 seats left in the VIP group", "Offer ends tonight", "Big news coming tomorrow".
- The ask: pay for a premium group, send money by UPI to a personal ID, let them trade from your account, or install a special "institutional" trading app from a link.
- The trap: a fake app shows big profits, but you can't withdraw. Or the tips stop working, and the group disappears.
Warning signs in a message
- Promises of guaranteed or fixed returns ("20% every month", "zero risk").
- Claims of secret, insider or "operator" information.
- Pressure to act right now.
- Requests to pay to a personal UPI ID or bank account.
- Requests for your OTP, password or trading login.
- No SEBI registration number, or a number that doesn't match the register.
These are signs about the message, not proof about a person. But the more of them you see together, the more careful you should be.
What to do instead
- Paste the message into our Tip Checker. It points out warning signs, and the text stays on your device.
- Check any registration number on our SEBI check page.
- Read this week's pattern on Scam of the week, with official SEBI warnings.
- Talk to a parent or someone you trust before sending money anywhere.
- If money has already been lost, report it quickly at cybercrime.gov.in or by calling 1930, the national cybercrime helpline.
Remember: real investing is usually slow and boring. Anyone promising fast, sure profits is selling something.