If you’ve received a message on WhatsApp or Telegram from someone claiming to represent “Vela Capital / Vela Capital Funds,” promising exclusive IPO access, “institutional block deals,” or quick double-digit returns, stop right there.
While there is a genuine financial entity named Vela Capital Fund, scammers have recently been misusing the name to trick retail investors across India.
In this detailed blog, we will uncover the details of real and fake Vela Capital operating in India.
What Is the Real Vela Capital Fund?
Vela Capital Fund is a Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Here are the verified details straight from SEBI’s official database:
- Registration Number: INMUFP005521
- Entity Name: Vela Capital Fund
- Category: FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investor)
- Registered Office: C/o KFS (Mauritius) Ltd, Block 8, 1827 Building, Vivea Business Park, Moka, Mauritius
- Validity: January 27, 2021 – January 26, 2027
What does Real Vela Capital Fund do?
Since Vela Capital Fund is a registered FPI, it invests in Indian stocks, bonds, and other securities through regulated custodians and brokers.
They manage large pools of capital, typically from hedge funds, asset managers, pension funds, and institutional investors, not retail traders.
What Real Vela Capital Fund Don’t Do?
A legitimate FPI does not:
- Solicit investments from Indian retail investors
- Offer “reserved IPO slots” or “block deals” through WhatsApp/Telegram
- Collect money via UPI, QR codes, or Google Forms
- Provide trading apps or dashboards showing “instant profits”
So while Vela Capital Fund is a real, regulated entity, it never contacts individual investors, especially not through social media.
Vela Capital Funds Scam
In mid-2024, cybercrime cells began receiving reports of fraudulent investment groups operating under the name Vela Capital / Vela Capital Funds.
Further official alerts from NSE, SEBI, and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange confirmed this pattern.
Modus Operandi of Vela Capital Scam
1. Contact and Urgency Tactic
Scammers send WhatsApp or Telegram messages claiming:
“We are opening limited Vela Capital institutional accounts. Deposit today to reserve your slot in the upcoming IPO block deal.”
They may use professional language, fake employee IDs, and even forged SEBI certificates to gain trust.
2. Fake Onboarding
Victims are directed to fill “KYC forms” or join a mobile/web “trading” platform that mimics genuine investment portals.
The site shows live “market data” to look authentic.
3. The Deposit Phase
The group introduces a “recharge manager” or “finance officer” and asks for your UPI transfer or QR payment, supposedly to fund your “institutional wallet.”
Money actually goes to mule accounts or personal wallets controlled by fraudsters.
4. Illusion of Profit
The fake app shows impressive returns, sometimes doubling in hours. Victims believe they’ve made a profit and try to withdraw funds.
5. Withdrawal Block & Extra Fees
When withdrawal is requested, users are told to pay:
- TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) fees
- Verification charges
- Unlock / release fees
Once you pay, the scammers disappear or demand even more. No money is ever released.
Why the “Vela Capital” Scam Seems Convincing?
- Real Entity Name: Because “Vela Capital Fund” is actually registered with SEBI, scammers use its name to sound legitimate.
- Professional Presentation: The fraudsters replicate brand elements, create convincing websites and documents, and use financial jargon.
- Social Proof Manipulation: Fake testimonials and group screenshots showing “others earning lakhs” create peer pressure.
- Urgency & Exclusivity: Victims are told, “The institutional slot closes today,” to prevent verification.
Red Flags to Identify Vela Capital Scam
Here are the key warning signs that help you identify such fraud at an early stage:
| Warning Sign | Why It’s Dangerous |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp or Telegram group offering “IPO access” | Legit institutions don’t use social messaging for fundraising |
| Requests for UPI / QR deposits | FPIs and brokers use bank rails, not personal UPI handles |
| Promise of guaranteed or fixed returns | No regulated investment offers “guaranteed” returns |
| Pressure to pay “verification” or “unlock” fees | Classic scam move to extract more money |
| Fake SEBI or NSE certificates | Always verify registration numbers on SEBI’s official site |
How to Protect Yourself from Block Trading Scams?
Vela Capita is not the only group that is running a block trading scam in India. There are many more, using legit names to trap people.
It is therefore important to check all details before signing up for any such platform.
Here’s the checklist to protect yourself from such fraud in India.
- Check the Entity on SEBI’s Website: Search the legal name and registration number on SEBI’s website.
- Never Trust WhatsApp Investment Groups: SEBI explicitly forbids solicitation on social media.
- Use Only SEBI-Registered Brokers: Apply for IPOs via ASBA/UPI through your bank or broker.
- No Advance Fees: Legit brokers don’t ask for TDS or unlock fees.
- Avoid Google Forms & Screenshots as Proof: Fraudsters often forge them. Always verify details from official domains.
How to Report Fake Vela Capital Group?
If you’ve transferred funds to a fake “Vela Capital” group, act immediately:
- Stop All Payments and don’t send any more “fees.”
- Collect Evidence like chat screenshots, payment proofs, fake websites, and UPI IDs.
- File a complaint in Cyber Crime.
- File a complaint in SEBI.
Need Help?
Need Help?
If you have lost your money in a fake Vela Capital Fund or any similar block trading scam, then register with us now.
We will guide you through the process to report such complaints and further escalate them to get you a recovery of your losses.
Conclusion
Vela Capital Fund is real, a SEBI-registered Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) based in Mauritius. However, “Vela Capital” retail groups in India are fake, unauthorised, and unsafe.
FPIs cannot legally accept investments from Indian individuals via social media, QR codes, or third-party wallets.
If anyone approaches you with a “Vela Capital” scheme promising “special IPO allocations” or “institutional entry,” assume it’s a scam and stay away.
Legitimacy of a name ≠ , authenticity of an offer. Always verify registrations directly from regulators and never invest via unverified links or messaging apps.
