Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that has become really popular among youngsters these days. This application has recently witnessed a meteoric rise in popularity. Telegram’s strong emphasis on the user’s privacy and features like cloud-based storage have attracted the attention of millions of users globally.
However, off-lately, despite its strong privacy, Telegram has become an easy target for scammers. These scammers or fraudsters use Telegram to commit identity theft. These scams exploit the features of the Telegram platform to trick users into giving away their personal information to these scammers.
Here, in this article, we bring you a list of some common scams that are taking place these days on Telegram.
10 Telegram Scams To Be Aware Of
Romance or Dating Scams:
Well, online dating scams usually start on dating applications or through social media, where the scammer creates a fake profile and selects a victim. After creating a connection with the victim, the scammer asks the victim to move the conversation onto a messaging app like Telegram. After playing with the victim, the scammers eventually ask for money.
For instance, the scammers might ask for money to come and meet the victim in person, or to buy a plane ticket for them, or pay their ‘fake’ hospital bills.
But once the money is deducted from the victim’s phone, the scammer usually makes an excuse to cancel. These types of dating scams can last for months or even years and through this period, the scammers can pull the same trick several times. The scammer eventually disappears, leaving the victim broke – emotionally and financially.
Job Scams:
Scammers post fake job advertisements on Telegram. These scammers may send messages directly to the target, claiming to be a recruiter. Typically, these fake job listings offer high salaries, flexible working hours, and other attractive benefits. If someone responds to these listings, the scammers then conduct fake interviews to get the personal information of the victim.
Crypto Pump-and-Dump Scams:
Scammers usually hype up a cryptocurrency using fake expertise on Telegram, causing its price to rise. Then these scammers sell their currencies at inflated prices while leaving others with worthless assets.
The Tech-Support Scam:
In this type of scam, the fraudsters pretend to be the member of Telegram’s tech support staff. They will contact the victim and claim that there’s a problem with their account and will ask for their personal information, such as login credentials and other personal details, pretending to fix the issue. They might even ask you for remote access to your device to fix the issue.
In case you face any technical issues, please contact Telegram’s official customer care channels only. Stay away from the accounts, pretending to be from tech support.
Phishing Scams:
In such scams, the scammers might pretend to be someone you trust or trusted organizations to trap the users into clicking on harmful links or giving away sensitive information.
Fake Admins:
Telegram users should remain alert of scammers pretending to be fake Telegram admins. In these types of scams, the fraudsters create fake accounts that look very similar to the official admin accounts. They contact the victims pretending that there’s a problem with their account and ask for their login details or other sensitive information to fix the issue.
Copycat Scams:
In such scams, the fraudsters create fake Telegram channels that look exactly like the real ones – from the same profile pictures to posts. The scammers will trick the victims into joining these fake channels by offering them fake giveaways or prizes, eventually collecting all their personal information and bank details.
The ‘Friend-In-Need’ Scam:
In the ‘friend in need’ type of scams, the fraudsters create fake profiles of someone that you may know, like a close friend or some family member. They will pretend to be that person and will ask you for money, saying that they are in some sort of emergency. They will also claim that they have lost their mobile phone. They will trick you into sending money to them. AI tools and applications make their work easier.
So, in case you think that a message might be from a scammer, report the fake profile right away and inform the concerned person as well.
Malicious Links or Attachments:
Fraudsters often send malicious links or files via direct messages. These usually contain malware that can infect your device, steal personal data, or lead to blackmail.
Fake Surveys:
Scammers create fake surveys on Telegram offering prizes to lure people in. These surveys are designed to collect personal information, such as Telegram usernames or email addresses, which scammers then use for phishing attacks.
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