
Have you ever ignored a call from an unknown number, fearing it was just another scammer trying to pitch a “guaranteed” multibagger stock? In an era where financial fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated, the irony is that the very technology used by scammers Artificial Intelligence is now being deployed to protect us.
In a landmark move for the Indian capital markets, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially entered the AI area. By partnering with the homegrown startup Sarvam AI, SEBI is launching a massive, multilingual AI-enabled call campaign. The goal? To make sure every Indian investor knows how to use the “SEBI Check” tool before they part with their hard-earned money.
Why a Phone Call? The Strategy Behind the Outreach
You might wonder: why is a high-tech regulator using something as traditional as a phone call? The answer lies in accessibility. While dashboards and PDFs are great, they don’t always reach the person living in a Tier-3 city or a retiree who isn’t “online” 24/7.
According to recent reports by Business Today, this campaign isn’t just a recorded robotic voice. It’s an AI-driven conversational experience.
By using Sarvam AI’s Indic language models, SEBI can now speak to investors in their native tongue be it Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or Marathi. This breaks the “language barrier” that often leaves non-English speakers vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
The “SEBI Check” Tool: Your Digital Shield
At the heart of this campaign is the promotion of the SEBI Check tool. But what does it actually do? Think of it as a background check for the financial world. Before you follow a “finfluencer” or join a shady Telegram tip group, SEBI Check allows you to:
- Verify Registered Entities: Instantly check if the person or firm advising you is actually registered with SEBI.
- Flag Unauthorized Platforms: Identify websites or apps that are operating without legal clearance.
- Report Suspicious Activity: A direct pipeline to the regulator if something feels “off.”
The logic is simple: if the regulator can reach you before the scammer does, the battle is halfway won.
Sarvam AI: The Tech Powering the Conversation
Why Sarvam AI? This partnership is a significant nod to the “Make in India” movement in the tech sector. Sarvam specializes in Large Language Models (LLMs) specifically tuned for Indian languages and dialects.
Unlike standard global AI models that often struggle with the nuances of Indian speech, this tech ensures the conversation feels human. It understands context, handles “Hinglish” seamlessly, and can answer basic queries in real-time. This isn’t just a broadcast; it’s an interactive safety net.
Cutting Through the Noise: The Fight Against “Fin-Scams”
We’ve all seen the headlines. From deepfake videos of famous business leaders giving investment advice to “pump and dump” schemes on social media, the threats are evolving. SEBI’s proactive stance shows a shift in mindset: Regulators are no longer just reacting to fraud; they are trying to prevent it through mass education.
Key highlights of the AI campaign include:
- Scale: Reaching millions of retail investors simultaneously.
- Personalization: Delivering messages that resonate with local cultural contexts.
- Verification: Directly linking users to official resources to avoid phishing.
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Trust?
Can an AI voice call really stop financial fraud? Perhaps not entirely, but it’s a massive step in the right direction. By leveraging the latest in Generative AI, SEBI is meeting investors where they are-on their phones.
The next time your phone rings and a friendly, local-language AI mentions SEBI Check, don’t hang up. It might just be the most valuable financial advice you receive all year. Are we finally seeing the end of the “Wild West” era of unregulated financial tips? Only time will tell, but with AI on the side of the regulators, the odds just got a lot better for the average investor.
FAQs
Find answers to common questions below.
Can an AI really help me spot a stock market scam?
Absolutely. While AI can't predict the future, SEBI’s AI Outreach uses conversational technology to guide you through the "SEBI Check" tool, helping you verify if an investment advisor is legally registered or just a "finfluencer" in disguise.
Why is SEBI calling me instead of sending an email?
Emails often land in spam, but a phone call in your native language powered by Sarvam AI is much harder to ignore. This campaign aims to reach every corner of India, ensuring language is no longer a barrier to financial literacy.
Is the SEBI Check tool free to use?
Yes! The tool promoted via SEBI’s AI Outreach is a public service designed to provide a transparent verification system for retail investors at no cost.
How do I know if the AI call I received is actually from SEBI?
Authentic calls from this campaign will direct you to official platforms like the SEBI website or the SCORES portal. They will never ask for your OTP, bank details, or demand immediate UPI transfers.




