SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey on Monday cautioned investors against anonymous stock tips, unregistered finfluencers and exaggerated return claims. He was speaking at the launch of Project Jagrook, the market regulator’s nationwide investor-awareness drive.

“Invest because you understand,” Pandey said at the launch event in Chandigarh, urging investors to verify that advisers are regulated. He said investment frauds are a growing concern for first-time retail investors, with money often moved through mule accounts outside the securities market.

SEBI has directed brokers to display investor-awareness messages on their websites and apps between October 5 and 31. From November 1, these messages must appear on broker landing pages. The push coincides with World Investor Week 2026, observed from October 5 to 11.

The regulator also rolled out the MUST initiative to train faculty and senior students as partner trainers on campuses. Pandey said India’s market capitalisation has quadrupled to about Rs 472 lakh crore over the last decade, making investor education vital.