How can investors identify fake trading advisers?

You check SEBI’s official registered intermediary database directly for the person or entity’s claimed registration number, rather than trusting a certificate image, a LinkedIn profile, or a verbal claim of credentials, since these are all easy to fabricate. Genuine SEBI-registered Research Analysts and Investment Advisers don’t guarantee returns, don’t pressure for quick decisions, and don’t ask for OTPs, passwords, or direct control over your trading account or funds, whereas fraudulent advisers commonly do exactly these things. Unsolicited outreach through WhatsApp, Telegram, or cold calls promising exclusive tips or guaranteed high returns is itself a strong warning sign, since legitimate advisers generally don’t operate primarily through unsolicited mass outreach to strangers. You also check for a track record of specific, verifiable public communication (registered advisers typically maintain proper documentation of advice given, since SEBI requires this) rather than someone who only shares vague, after-the-fact claims of past success with no verifiable specifics.