SEBI Cautions Investors About "Account Handling" Offers Pitched as Risk-Free Profit

On February 26, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India issued Press Release No. 14/2026, titled "Caution to Investors on Stock Market Scams through Account Handling Services". The release warns the public about persons who offer to run an investor's demat or trading account and promise gains with no risk. SEBI describes them as account handlers or fraudsters.

How the scheme is described to work

According to SEBI, these persons present themselves in different guises: experts in account handling, providers of portfolio management services, or skilled fund managers. Their pitch is that they can deliver risk-free profit in the investor's demat or trading account. The pattern SEBI sets out is: