Telegram Scams: A Social Haven or Hot Button for Scams?

| Updated on February 13, 2024 |
Fact checked by Manpreet Kaur Sandhu

When we hear the social media name Telegram, what usually crosses our minds is its groups and easy access to lots of free media. 

But if we have to talk about the infamous factors that come with it, Telegram scams are more than fake job offers and romance scams. Telegram, being extremely good for marketing, makes the platform full of scams.  

Telegram app scams are not only limited to money fraud or unreal lottery cheat codes but also cover things you may not think of.

So, to uncover the scams on Telegram, we will now be diving into a list of Telegram scams that one may get into easily. 

What are Telegram Scams?

If you are new to Telegram or simply haven’t heard of it at all, there are various Telegram scams taking place on the social messaging app. Apart from stealing financial assets, these scams include attempts to steal a user’s data or gain access to their personal information. While they can vary from type to type, some happen on a larger scale as well. 

They may even lead to the deletion of your account. However, there are multiple ways to recover deleted Telegram accounts, but if you watch out for scammers closely, you may prevent this from happening.

Many of you may wonder and question the same as the user in the above-given Subreddit. So, to answer that, we’ll be breaking down the concept of Telegram scams for you.

How Telegram Scams Work? 

Now, we will delve into the realm of Telegram Messenger app scams and uncover different schemes and tactics used to exploit unsuspecting individuals. 

  • Impersonation Scams: A common scam that takes place on Telegram is pretending to be someone via fake accounts. The scammers deceive the users into believing the individual or the entity that they are mimicking. 
  • Phishing Attacks: Just as the name suggests, phishing scams include sending fraudulent messages to users and redirecting them to phishing links. The users land on fake websites and fall prey to their tricks. 
  • Malware Distribution: Another scam that often takes place on the app is the spread of malware. This is done by sending a file or link that may seem harmless at first, but once someone clicks on it, malicious software is installed on the devices, and their personal information gets compromised. 
  • Telegram Bot Scams: If you’re an old user of Telegram or have been using it for a while, you may already be aware of the concept of bots there. While there are thousands of groups that have legitimate bots, some include fake ones that pretend to be real and try to get your passwords. 
  • Fake Investment Schemes: Telegram has become a popular hub for investment scams where a higher amount of return is promised. They prey on the financial inventory of their targets, and they end up losing all their money. 

These were some typical Telegram scams that take place. Once you’ve done your Telegram login, you can be prone to any of these. 

But how do you identify one? Let’s find out.

How to Spot a Telegram Scam?

Where there is an opportunity to scam, trouble always follows. So to prevent that from happening, one must know the right things to look out for so they don’t end up becoming victims.

  • Don’t ever share your login details or personal information with anyone. Telegram would never ask you anything or for payment using a channel on the app.
  • No text or media sent on Telegram is ever urgent or too important. In fact, since even the OTPs for the platform itself come on the normal messaging app, anything else really isn’t significant. 
  • If someone offers you something that is too good to be true, don’t trust any strangers with it. 
  • When you receive any fishy links from an account that seems official but has spelling errors, it is most likely a fake account.
  • Be suspicious of any messages directly from the admin of a Telegram group, as they don’t occur often. To confirm that, go to the group and text the admin directly.
  • If you think you’re being contacted by someone who is fake and the account seems to be a scammer, you can verify the identity by visiting https://t.me/Scammer

With the help of these points, you can stay aware and keep your eyes and ears open to everything happening around you. Now read out the list of the latest scams taking place on Telegram and stay safe. 

List of Top 12 Latest Telegram Scams to Look Out For

As Telegram continues to grow in popularity, so does the prevalence of scams that come along with it. It is out of the question that users should remain vigilant and informed in order to protect themselves from falling victim to these schemes. 

So, by going through the following list of Telegram scams, you’ll be able to understand the common tactics used by the scammers on the platform and hopefully implement the right security features on Telegram.

Fake or “Copycat” Telegram Channels

The first and most common scam that occurs on Telegram is imitation. The scammers simply pretend to be legitimate while impersonating brands, influencers, individuals, or any organization to deceive their targets into believing that and trusting them.

Fraud Cryptocurrency Giveaways

The scammers create channels that offer falsely promising cryptocurrency giveaways, asking users to send a small amount of cryptocurrency in exchange for larger returns. However, the victims typically receive nothing in return.

Tech Support Scams

In tech scams, scammers impersonate technical support personnel, claiming to assist with software or account issues. They trick the users into believing that their remote access is required to be granted or by paying for unnecessary services. 

Telegram Bots Phishing

It is not surprising that there are many fake bots on Telegram, and it can be hard to distinguish between the real and unreal ones, too. Any scammer can pretend to be a Telegram bot and ask you for your personal information. So you need to keep an eye out and don’t give your data to anyone. 

“Crypto Expert” Scams 

Just as the name suggests, the ‘Crypto Expert’ scam involves fraudsters posing as cryptocurrency experts. They offer advice on investments and promise false high returns on them. The users follow their guidance and end up losing money on fraudulent schemes. They also steal your personal information and present false classified documents to seem legit.

Forged Admin Accounts

There are many accounts on Telegram that pretend to be Admins when, in actuality, they are not. Scammers often create almost identical accounts for real channels on the platform. They lure in the victims, thinking they are being contacted by real admins.

“Pump and Dump”  Crypto Channels

In this scam, scammers operate channels that artificially inflate the value or demand of a cryptocurrency via false information, encouraging followers to invest. Once the price rises, they sell off those holdings, causing a sudden market crash and major losses for followers.

Basically, they wait to falsely pump up the market value, and once they have access to the information of many, they throw away all the unnecessary details, like their personal information, out in the open. 

Romance Scams

The scammers build fake online romantic relationships, gaining victims’ trust before fabricating a crisis that requires financial assistance. This emotional manipulation leads to financial loss for the deceived individuals. 

Fake Job Offers

Those who are looking for employment can fall for this scam easily. Different groups or fake channels prefer to show hiring and vacancies for jobs that don’t even exist. Ensure that you verify the job openings before you apply. 

“Classiscam”

Classiscam involves scammers appearing as potential buyers interested in high-value items. They trick sellers into shipping goods before receiving payment, leaving the seller with a financial loss. 

“Friend in Need” Scams

This is a common scam that takes place on Telegram, where scammers impersonate friends or acquaintances in distress, claiming to need urgent financial assistance. 

They exploit the victim’s sympathy and trick them into sending money. With their false and made-up stories, they try to play with their emotions. 

Fake Airdrops and Giveaways

Ever since crypto became popular, there has been an increase in the number of scams surrounding it. Many scammers offer to send you crypto assets as free giveaways and send you a link for them. However, once you tap on them, you’ll be redirected to a malicious website instead. 

The website may appear to be real as it shows fake transaction proofs that may win your trust into actually thinking you’ve won something. But in reality, after entering your information, you’ll only become a victim of their scam.

While many may try to cover themselves with features like secret chats to hide such activities, there are ways to see secret chats on Telegram

How to Protect Yourself From Telegram Scams?

Even though Telegram is known for its privacy features and secure communication, lately, it has become a breeding ground for various scams. As scammers flock to the platform with frauds, here are some tips for staying safe in the jungle of digital scams and how to protect yourself from Telegram scams:

  • Verify Identities: It is a must to always double-check and verify the person and the organization that is trying to get in touch with you. If the other person or entity has a verification badge on their profile, it means they are legitimate.
  • Avoid Sharing Personal Information: It should be a no-brainer that you must refrain from sharing your private and sensitive information, such as your passwords, personal identification numbers, and card details, with strangers.
  • Beware of Unsolicited Links: Getting links from different groups and numbers from unknown numbers is familiar. You may mistake that for being their move or an attempt to engage subscribers on Telegram. But that may not be the case if you’re asked about your personal information.
  • Be Skeptical of Investment Opportunities: There are many fake channels and accounts on Telegram that would offer you new investment opportunities. They would promise an unreal return, so you must ensure that you don’t fall for their fake schemes.
  • Make Use of Security Features: There are some security features on Telegram that you can leverage, like two-factor authentication, to enhance the protection of your account. 

Here’s to staying informed and safe! 

How to Report a Scam on Telegram?

Since you now know how to spot a Telegram scam, you might as well protect others by reporting it to the concerned authorities so they can take the required actions.

If you manage to spot one, let FTC know about it and report a scam on Telegram by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov. and get more advice on the same at ftc.gov/jobscams

FAQ

Why would a scammer use Telegram?

Since a number is not required to chat with someone on Telegram, there are many scammers flooding the platform.

How to know that someone is a scammer on Telegram?

If you’re asked about your personal information by someone who has spelling errors or misinformation on Telegram, it is possible that they are fake.

Why would someone use Telegram?

As Telegram is a pretty popular app that is widely used for instant messaging, it includes features like ‘Secret Chats’ that can be enabled as and when one wants to.

What are Telegram dating scams?

There are many scammers on Telegram that pretend to be looking for someone to date, and then they trap you in with their demands, asking for gifts or money so they can come to see you.

How to identify a fake Telegram account?

If you want to figure out whether an account on Telegram is legitimate, you can simply start by checking their account, profile pictures, and activities on the platform. For instance, their interactions with others and the groups that they are a part of.


Janvi Panthri

Senior Writer, Editor


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