As a retired professional trader, the ongoing fraud cases involving fake SEBI-registered platforms in India are a reminder of the darker side of investment markets. Scammers prey on the same human vulnerabilities that make some of the best opportunities in real markets — greed, impatience, and the desire for easy profits. The key red flag here is that genuine trading platforms never ask for large payments upfront or require additional fees to release funds, especially through informal channels like WhatsApp. In real investing, especially on a regulated platform, you’re dealing with official communication, transparent reporting, and verifiable account balances. Scammers create fabricated stories, show fake growth, and demand additional payments, all designed to exploit emotions and force victims into hasty decisions. Any investment that asks for secrecy, pressure, or “fees to release funds” is a direct signal to back away. Legitimate investment opportunities do not need to hide behind virtual profits or promises of high returns. This type of fraud is particularly concerning because it’s becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. New investors often don’t know where to turn for validation and can be manipulated by the pressure of “guaranteed” returns. The fact that these scammers are using widely recognized names, like "Standard Chartered GP" and fake SEBI registration, is a direct attempt to mislead and build a false sense of security. It’s crucial for anyone entering the markets to understand the power of verification and due diligence. As someone who has seen the rise and fall of many market players, I urge investors to avoid trading on any platform that doesn’t offer full transparency and regulation. In such cases, the best strategy is to verify, question everything, and walk away from any platform that uses secrecy or unsolicited contact to lure you in.