Are SEBI-registered advisors asking for your trading account credentials and promising fixed returns?
If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is, and in this case, it’s likely a scam.
Meanwhile, a fake Telegram channel impersonating Equentis Wealth Advisory Services is actively luring investors with promises of guaranteed profits, even for entities with PMS licenses.
Let’s look at how Telegram scams work.
Fake Equentis Telegram Channel
On the other hand, a fraudulent Telegram channel operating under the name “Equentis – SEBI Registered”.
(Handle: t.me/Equentiss with double ‘s’) is impersonating the legitimate company and engaging in serious violations that go beyond what even a PMS license allows.
Critical Point: There is no direct link between this channel and the actual Equentis company.
How They’re Luring Users:
- Using the company’s registered name with SEBI registration claims
- Posting customer testimonials and positive feedback
- Promising guaranteed returns and handling client accounts
- Showing only successful trades to create a false impression
Violations by Fake Equentis Telegram Channel
Specifically, here are the serious SEBI regulation violations being committed by this fake channel, violations that are illegal even for a legitimately registered PMS provider.
1. Handling Client Trading Accounts and Showing Only Profits
The channel operators are directly accessing and executing trades in client accounts, but critically, they’re only showcasing profitable trades while hiding any losses.
The channel only displays winning trades. Where are the loss-making trades?
Every legitimate portfolio manager experiences both gains and losses; showing only profits is a classic sign of fraud.
SEBI Regulation: Even for a registered portfolio manager with a PMS license:
- While PMS can handle client accounts with proper agreements, they must provide complete and transparent reporting including all losses
- Cherry-picking only profitable trades for promotion violates SEBI’s disclosure norms.
2. Promising Guaranteed Returns
The channel is making explicit promises of fixed profits and guaranteed returns, something even a PMS license does not permit, by saying “Daily earning kroge”.
What SEBI Says: “No one can guarantee returns in the stock market. Be wary of anyone promising fixed or assured returns.”
This applies to ALL market participants, including Portfolio Managers.
3.Demanding Advance Payments for Trading Capital
The channel demands upfront payment and direct transfer of trading capital, which violates PMS operational norms.
Evidence from Screenshots:
- “Advance pay” requirement clearly mentioned
- Payment structure showing: ₹30,000 investment for ₹1,20,000 return
- “Note:- that you will send the capital to start the trading”
- Multiple payment tiers: ₹50,000, ₹1,00,000 with corresponding “guaranteed” returns
- “MINIMUM = 20,000 ” and “MAXIMUM = 1,00,000 ” capital requirements
SEBI Regulation for PMS:
- Legitimate PMS requires minimum ₹50 lakh investment (not ₹20,000-₹1,00,000)
- Client capital must be held in designated custodian accounts, not transferred directly to operators
4. Promoting “Copy Trading” and Discouraging Independent Trading
The channel actively promotes a dependency model where investors should copy trades blindly and are discouraged from making their own trading decisions.
Discouraging Independent Trading: The message “खुद ट्रेडिंग कर कर के Loss मत करो” (Don’t trade yourself and make losses) is psychologically manipulative.
It makes investors completely dependent on the channel.
Promoting Blind Copy Trading: The “start copying my trades” model combined with discouraging independent judgment creates a dangerous dynamic.
Investors don’t understand what they’re investing in.
SEBI Regulation:
- Copy trading or mirror trading through unauthorized platforms is not permitted under SEBI regulations
- Even in PMS, clients must be fully informed about investment rationale and risks
- Portfolio Managers must educate clients, not create dependency
5. Collecting Commissions Based on Profits
The operators charge 20% commission on profits generated, which may violate PMS fee structure guidelines.
Evidence from Screenshots:
- “Work on 20% Commission”
- “I can only do the trading for you to pay you good amount in return within 2/3 hrs”.
SEBI Regulation for PMS: Portfolio Managers can charge performance fees, but must follow strict SEBI guidelines
6. Misusing SEBI Registration Claims
What’s Happening: The channel falsely claims to be “SEBI Registered” to build trust and credibility, which is identity theft of the legitimate Equentis company.
Evidence from Screenshots:
- Channel name: “Equentis – SEBI Registered ®”
- Use of ® symbol suggesting trademark registration
- Multiple references to being “SEBI REGISTERED” in promotional messages
- Promotional material stating “PREMIUM GROUP 👆 (SEBI REGISTERED)”
7. Displaying Only Prime Members’ Profit Screenshots
The channel strategically showcases testimonials and profit screenshots exclusively from “prime members” to create social proof and urgency to upgrade.
Where are the regular members’ results? The average performers? Where are the losses?
How to Report Fake Telegram Scammers?
Telegram scams in India are very common now. If you’ve encountered this fake channel or lost money to such a scam, here’s how you can report it:
1. Report on Telegram Itself
- How: Open the fake channel and click on the channel name.
- Click “Report”
- Select “Fake account” or “Scam”
2. File a Complaint in SEBI
- What to report: Unauthorized use of SEBI registration, false claims of being registered entity, violations of PMS regulations
- Why report here: SEBI can take action against misuse of registered entity names and investigate the real Equentis company
3. File a Complaint in Cyber Crime
- Category: Financial Fraud/Online and Social Media related crime
- What to report: Telegram-based investment scams, fake channel impersonation, identity theft
Need Help?
Have you been contacted by this fake Equentis Telegram channel? Did you transfer money or share your trading account credentials with them?
Register with us immediately if you’re a victim of this scam. We can help you:
- Document your case with proper evidence highlighting PMS violations
- Guide you through the complaint filing process across multiple platforms, including SEBI SCORES
- Connect you with other victims for collective action
- Provide information on legal options and potential recovery
- Escalate to the appropriate authorities, including the real Equentis company
Time is critical: The sooner you report, the better the chances of preventing others from falling victim and potentially recovering your funds. The fake channel can disappear at any moment.
Don’t feel embarrassed; these scams are sophisticated and designed to fool even experienced investors by impersonating legitimate SEBI-registered entities. Your report can save others from the same fate.
Conclusion
The fake “Equentis – SEBI Registered” Telegram channel (t.me/Equentiss) is running a sophisticated investment fraud operation that violates multiple SEBI regulations, violations that are illegal even for legitimately registered Portfolio Managers.
However, while the real company has its own service quality issues, the fake channel takes it to criminal levels with guaranteed return promises, capital collection.
This fake channel is not just damaging the reputation of the real Equentis company; it’s actively defrauding investors by exploiting the company’s legitimate dual SEBI registrations.
If you come across this or similar channels, report immediately to SEBI and the real Equentis company. Warn others in your investment circles.
Final Warning: Even legitimate PMS providers with proper SEBI registration cannot guarantee returns or eliminate market risk.
Stay vigilant, and verify everything.
