New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Wednesday cautioned investors against unsolicited investment tips with respect to listed companies.

Besides, it advised investors to exercise appropriate due diligence before dealing in the securities market, it said in a statement.

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The Securities and Exchange Board  of  India (Sebi) has noticed that unsolicited messages containing stock tips or investment advice with respect to  listed companies are increasingly being circulated through bulk SMS, websites and social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram.

Such messages are sent to investors and general public usually recommending to deal in specific stocks of listed companies, indicating target prices and giving fraudulent, misleading information relating to listed companies, inducing them to deal in these stocks, the regulator noted.

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The circulation of such misleading messages is not only detrimental to the interest of the investors but also adversely affects the integrity of the securities market, it added.

"All investors  and the  general  public  are hereby advised/cautioned not  to rely  on such unsolicited stock tips/investment advice circulated through bulk SMS, websites and social media platforms," Sebi said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)