Telegram Scams to Avoid 2024
Key Takeaways
- Scammers on Telegram use tactics like impersonation, phishing, and fake investments to steal users’ data, assets, and funds.
- Identifying red flags, such as unsolicited messages and requests for personal or financial information, can help you avoid scams.
- Recognizing fake Telegram accounts and understanding common scams can prevent you from becoming a victim.
- Telegram users should prioritize security and use trusted links, double-check usernames, and exercise caution with unknown contacts.
Telegram has become one of the world’s leading messaging platforms, especially popular in crypto, tech, and gaming communities. Security is a top concern for users (as the recent social media ban in Australia demonstrates) , and Telegram’s encrypted messaging has earned it a reputation as a trustworthy platform. However, as with any social platform that grows in popularity, the risks of scams also increase proportionately. In fact, Telegram is among the top two platforms when it comes to trading scams.
Thankfully, most of these scams can be easily avoided by following some key principles. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common Telegram scams, how they work, and how you can stay safe from these threats.
Telegram Scams 2024
Malicious parties on Telegram can come in many shapes and forms. At first glance, some of them may even seem believable and innocent. Let’s take a look at the top 20 types.
Scam Name |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Romance Scams |
| 2 | Phishing Scams |
| 3 | Ponzi Scams |
| 4 | Tech Support Scams |
| 5 | “Friend in Need” Scams |
| 6 | Investment Scams |
| 7 | Fake Survey Scams |
| 8 | Fake Job Listings |
| 9 | Malicious Links or Attachments |
| 10 | Fake Prize and Giveaway Scams |
| 11 | Fake Telegram Admins |
| 12 | Classified Ad Scams |
| 13 | Copycat Scams |
| 14 | Crypto Pump-and-Dump Scams |
| 15 | Telegram Bot Scams |
| 16 | Impersonation of Influencers Scams |
| 17 | Pre-sale Token Scams |
| 18 | Subscription and Premium Service Scams |
| 19 | Fake Airdrop Scams |
1. Romance Scams
This sort of scam usually starts on a dating website. Consequently, the conversation is taken off the platform and on a messaging app like Telegram. Scammers pretend to be romantic interests, slowly building trust with victims before asking for money or sensitive information. They exploit loneliness or emotional vulnerability and often use elaborate backstories to gain trust and access to your resources.
2. Phishing Scams
Phishing scams date back to the 1990s when computers and the internet became a standard fixture in most homes.
This scam involves sending links or emails leading to fake pages that resemble official websites. The idea is to convince you to enter your personal details or login credentials, giving the scammers access to your sensitive accounts. If you receive a link on Telegram that leads to a page asking for your personal details, this should be a red flag.
3. Ponzi Scams
In a Ponzi scheme, named after the original creator, fraudsters lure victims into a “get-rich-quick” ploy. But in reality, there’s no profit – instead, the new investors’ funds are used to pay earlier participants. Once the scheme eventually collapses, and the scammer vanishes with the remaining funds.
On Telegram, scammers may contact you offering great returns on an investment. Make sure you don’t fall for it as all Ponzi schemes eventually collapse.
4. Tech Support Scams
Fraudsters pose as Telegram’s tech support, reaching out to help “resolve account issues”. In other words, they may request private information or account access to steal data and/or funds. Remember that actual tech support will never contact you without you requesting their help first.
5. “Friend in Need” Scams
In this scenario, the account of a friend or relative might be hacked. As a result, scammers impersonate friends or family members claiming to be in urgent need of financial help. Finally, the victims are usually asked to send funds quickly without much time for verification. If the Telegram account of a friend is messaging you with such a request, make sure you verify it’s really them.
6. Investment Scams
Scammers promote some sort of “exclusive” investment opportunity, guaranteeing high returns with little risk. On Telegram, this is often associated with cryptocurrencies and these schemes ask for funds. Once users make the mistake of “investing”, the scammers quickly vanish never to be seen again.
7. Fake Survey Scams
These scams offer rewards or prizes in exchange for filling out surveys. However, like phishing scams, the surveys in question can be collecting sensitive data, which you’ve provided in good faith. For example, scammers on Telegram can send you a fake survey and then use the personal data you entered there to try and hack your email or sell the info to a third party.
8. Fake Job Listings
Scammers create fake job listings with attractive pay and benefits. Consequently, after an initial screening, they may request fees for “training” or “background checks” taking advantage of people seeking employment. Remember that Telegram is not a job-seeking platform. It’s usually a red flag if any company you applied to wants to do an interview on Telegram.
9. Malicious Links or Attachments
In this scam, the fraudsters can send malicious links or attachments that, once clicked, can steal data, install malware, or redirect users to fake sites that mimic legitimate services. It’s somewhat similar to phishing but even more dangerous since simply clicking the link can be fatal. With the popularity of group chats on Telegram, this scam can be scary. Always double-check the source of the link you’re about to click.
10. Fake Prize and Giveaway Scams
Telegram is a social platform and many projects create community giveaways to boost user engagement. Scammers often use this as an opportunity to send messages to users and notify them of a prize or giveaway. If the user wants to claim it, they’re asked to provide personal information or pay a “processing fee”.
11. Fake Telegram Admins
Impersonating Telegram admins, scammers approach users in groups and private messages. They may also request login details under the pretense of verifying or improving account security. Always double-check who you’re communicating with.
12. Classified Ad Scams
Scammers contact individuals on Telegram who have posted ads, offering to purchase items. They usually ask for deposits or sensitive information but then disappear without fulfilling the transaction.
13. Copycat Scams
In this case, scammers duplicate legitimate Telegram groups or accounts to trick users into believing they’re interacting with an official page. They may promote fake investment schemes, ask for sensitive data, or post malicious links to trick users.
14. Crypto Pump-and-Dump Scams
Scammers promote a cryptocurrency on Telegram, encouraging people to buy to inflate its value. Once prices rise to a certain level, they sell off their assets, leaving investors with devalued holdings.
15. Telegram Bot Scams
Telegram bots offering “automated” trading or cryptocurrency tips can be used to steal funds or access information. In addition, scammers can use these bots to trick users into sharing data or transferring funds under the pretext of gaining benefits.
16. Impersonation of Influencers
Scammers create fake Telegram profiles of well-known figures in crypto or finance, offering “exclusive tips” or inviting users to private investment groups. This is all done so they can later request funds for the privilege and hastily disappear.
17. Pre-sale Token Scams
Fraudsters advertise fake cryptocurrency pre-sales on Telegram groups or through private messages. They urge users to “invest early” before the token is publicly available. While token pre-sales are a real thing, in this scam the token doesn’t even exist.
18. Subscription and Premium Service Scams
Scammers promise access to “premium” trading signals, exclusive Telegram groups, or bots in exchange for a subscription fee. In most cases, they will disappear right after the user makes a payment.
19. Fake Airdrops
Victims are invited to claim a “free airdrop” by connecting their wallets to a phishing site, which then drains their funds. These scams are quite common on Telegram, especially when a project is close to releasing an actual airdrop. Be on the lookout and always check the legitimacy of the accounts you’re interacting with.
How To Spot a Telegram Scam
The difficulty of spotting a Telegram scam can vary and while some are easy to distinguish, others may be professionally crafted. Make sure you:
- Suspicious links
- Sense of urgency
- Instant messages
- Unusual spelling and grammar
Suspicious Links
Any link shared by unknown entities on Telegram should be a cause for concern so avoid clicking on links from unknown sources.
Sense of Urgency
Scammers often create urgency to trick you into making rushed decisions. Always think twice before you make any uninformed decisions.
Instant Messages & Replies
If the user that’s messaging you is writing a bit too fast for a human being and you’re getting instant replies, chances are you’re dealing with a bot. You can easily check this by asking an unexpected question.
Unusual Spelling or Grammar
In many cases, scammers can have bad spelling or grammar. This might be due to their unfamiliarity with the language or the fact that they might be using software to directly translate word for word.
How To Avoid Getting Scammed on Telegram
To avoid falling prey to Telegram scammers, it helps to follow a few essential tips:
- Use Trusted Sources
- Double-Check Usernames
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Report Suspicious Activity
- Don’t engage with messages from strangers
Use Trusted Sources
Be observant about what links you click, and if you do click something, make sure it’s from a verified account or official Telegram channels. This will also save you from falling victim to phishing scams and malicious links.
Double-Check Usernames
Impersonators may have similar usernames to official accounts but with subtle differences. For example, they can replace an “O” with a “0” or add a “_” to the end. Look for these giveaways.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
To bolster the security of your account and prevent scammers from accessing it, you can activate 2FA. Furthermore, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your account.
Report Suspicious Activity
Telegram allows users to report fake accounts or scams, helping others avoid the same pitfalls. If you’re certain that you’ve detected a scammer, make sure you also report them in the application.
Don’t Engage With Messages From Strangers
Lastly, chatting with strangers on Telegram is not a good idea. If a random account messages you out of the blue, they probably have your information from somewhere and are about to ask you for something. Don’t open any files or links sent by unknown parties.
How Do Telegram Scams Work?
Telegram scams usually follow patterns aimed at building trust or creating urgency. For example, scammers may impersonate trusted contacts or reputable organizations, use fake links, create fake web pages, and employ social engineering tactics to coerce users into sharing information or funds.
Why Do Scammers Use Telegram?
Telegram’s vast, decentralized nature and strong privacy settings make it difficult to track scammers. The platform’s group and channel features, combined with limited moderation, provide ample opportunities for fraudsters to target unsuspecting users in public and private spaces. Lastly, anyone can create a Telegram account in a few minutes with just a phone number.
How To Identify a Fake Telegram Account
There are a couple of giveaways that can let you identify potential scammers on Telegram. Here’s what you should look out for:
- Profile Inconsistencies: Check if usernames or profile photos appear professional, match the organization, and avoid suspicious elements.
- Unsolicited Messages: Be cautious of unsolicited messages that claim to offer rewards, support, or urgent requests for financial help.
- Grammar and Tone: Scammers often have unusual sentence structures or poor grammar, as they may operate from foreign locations. In many cases, they also use translation software.
- Lack of Verification: Official Telegram channels and admins have verified badges and the lack of this indicator can be a red flag.
Closing Thoughts
Telegram is a valuable communication tool but its rapid growth has attracted a huge number of scammers. In conclusion, being aware of the most common Telegram scams, understanding how to spot suspicious behavior, and taking precautionary measures can protect you from these frauds.
FAQ
Why do people use Telegram?
People use Telegram for its privacy-focused features, large group sizes, and also for its ease of use for communities and group chats.
Is Telegram safe from hackers?
While Telegram provides encrypted messaging and two layers of secure encryption, hackers will always challenge the security of applications. It’s essential to remain cautious and use two-factor authentication to secure your account further.
Is Telegram used for dating?
Telegram is primarily used for online communities and digital correspondence. You should consider romance-related messages from strangers a red flag.
