Asmita Patel, a self-proclaimed stock market expert, has found herself at the centre of a regulatory storm after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accused her of running an unregistered investment advisory service under the guise of financial education. Patel, who has cultivated a strong online presence with claims of mentoring thousands of traders, now faces a serious crackdown from the market regulator, which has impounded Rs 53.67 crore linked to her firm, Asmita Patel Global School of Trading Pvt Ltd (APGSTPL).
Who is Asmita Patel?
Patel’s stock market journey began over 17 years ago when she started trading independently. With no formal background in finance, she built her skills through self-study and personal experience in the markets. Over time, she developed a proprietary trading system, which she claimed could generate consistent profits.
In 2020, she launched the Asmita Patel Global School of Trading, branding it as an institute that would simplify stock market education for retail investors. The school quickly gained traction, thanks to Patel’s aggressive marketing and social media influence. She positioned herself as a disruptor in the financial education space, often stating that traditional methods of stock trading were outdated and inefficient.
Her courses—Let’s Make India Trade (LMIT), Master’s in Price Action Trading (MPAT), and Options Multiplier (OM)—were marketed as revolutionary programs that could turn ordinary individuals into expert traders. Patel claimed that her strategies could help traders eliminate unnecessary indicators, avoid complex technical jargon, and master the art of price action trading.
She cultivated a strong personal brand, frequently referring to herself as the “She-Wolf of the Stock Market” and the “Options Queen.” Her confidence and success story resonated with thousands, leading to an impressive social media presence, including 526,000 YouTube subscribers, 289,000 Instagram followers, 73,000 Facebook followers and 4,200+ Twitter (X) followers. As of now, Asmita Patel’s LinkedIn account has been deactivated.
Her school attracted a diverse audience—from college students and working professionals to homemakers and retired individuals—all seeking financial independence through stock trading.
Grand promises and rising suspicion
Patel’s courses weren’t just about stock market theories; they included real-time market strategies, stock recommendations, and trade setups. Participants claimed that her team provided specific buy-and-sell signals, stop-loss points, and target prices, making it seem more like an advisory service rather than an educational program.
Many students paid lakhs of rupees for her courses, believing they were receiving insider knowledge that would guarantee profits. Patel allegedly assured students that no one would suffer losses if they followed her system and that she herself managed assets worth Rs 140 crore.
However, as complaints started piling up, it became clear that many students lost significant amounts of money despite following her strategies. SEBI launched an investigation after receiving 42 complaints from participants who claimed they were misled..
What’s next for Asmita Patel?
Patel has reportedly filed for a settlement with SEBI, but the regulator has made it clear that this does not exempt her from further legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, her brand and reputation have taken a major hit, raising questions about the legitimacy of stock market training programs that promise easy success. Despite this setback, Patel continues to project confidence online, maintaining that she is an educator, not an investment advisor. However, with SEBI’s strict stance against unregistered advisory services, her future in the financial industry remains uncertain.