The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a public caution to investors regarding fraudulent activities involving the impersonation of SEBI officials and misuse of its letterhead and logo. SEBI has observed instances where fraudsters send fake communications, including notices and certificates, using SEBI’s official branding to deceive the public. These scam artists often demand payments for purported compliance services, fines, or penalties, often through social media platforms. In some cases, fraudsters have even used SEBI’s letterhead to falsely certify fraudulent bank accounts as genuine, leading unsuspecting investors to lose money. SEBI advises the public to verify all communications by checking the official SEBI website, noting that all legitimate emails from the organization end with the domain @sebi.gov.in. Payments to SEBI must be made only through its official portal, and any enforcement actions or official orders can be verified on the SEBI website.
Securities and Exchange Board of India
PR No. 60/2025
Caution to the public regarding impersonation of SEBI
SEBI is issuing this Press Release to advise investors to protect themselves from fraudsters and remain vigilant while dealing with communications fabricated to have been sent by SEBI officials and senders seeking payment on behalf of SEBI.
SEBI has noted various instances of impersonation of identities of SEBI officials, various offices of SEBI and email ids of SEBI officials by fraudsters. Fraudsters are claiming to be officials of SEBI and sending a communication to entities using the letter head, logo and seal of SEBI. It is noted in certain instances that fraudsters are sending notices through Social Media Platforms and requesting for payments for compliance services, payment of penalty amounts/ fines to prevent action by SEBI.
It has also been noted that SEBI’s letter head is being misused by fraudsters to certify that the fraudster’s account is a certified vendor/ merchant account and is under the supervision of SEBI. The certificate on SEBI’s letter head portrays a SEBI authorized bank account on which signatures of SEBI officials have been impersonated and SEBI logo has been imprinted, making investors believe that the stated fraudulent account is a genuine account. Gullible investors are losing their hard earned money by believing these fraudsters and transferring money to these fraudulent accounts.
In view of the above, public is urged to exercise caution and note the following:
i. Every enforcement action taken by SEBI is available on the SEBI website under the path Home >Enforcement.
ii. Any online Order/Settlement/Recovery Payment to SEBI is to be done through https://siportal.sebi.gov.in/intermediary/AOPaymentGateway.html.
iii. Contact details of SEBI officials are available on the SEBI website under the path Home > About>SEBI Directory.
iv. Communication from SEBI through emails is sent through official e-mail IDs of SEBI officials only. These email IDs end with domain address @sebi.gov.in.
v. Addresses of SEBI offices are available on the SEBI website under the path Home > About> Addresses of Offices of SEBI.
Investors are advised to remain vigilant while dealing with communication being received from domain addresses that do not end with @sebi.gov.in. Investors may also remain cautious and verify the authenticity of people demanding information or payment on behalf of SEBI.
Mumbai
September 05, 2025
