{"id":13884,"date":"2024-05-28T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forklog.com\/en\/how-telegram-became-the-go-to-venue-for-crypto-scams\/"},"modified":"2024-05-28T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T15:00:00","slug":"how-telegram-became-the-go-to-venue-for-crypto-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/how-telegram-became-the-go-to-venue-for-crypto-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"How Telegram became the go-to venue for crypto scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Telegram now dominates as the platform most frequently exploited for cryptocurrency fraud. Unlike old-fashioned phone scams, which rely on instant reactions and blind trust, messaging allows scammers to cultivate victims over time. Grigory Osipov, director of investigations at \u00ab<\/strong>\u0428\u0410\u0420\u0414<\/strong><\/a>\u00bb, explains the most common Telegram schemes to ForkLog.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Telegram?<\/h2>\n

The most popular venues for crypto fraud include X, Discord, Telegram and VKontakte. In Russia, Pavel Durov\u2019s messenger leads the pack. By various estimates, around 40\u201350% of all fraud on Telegram involves cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n

According to Mediascope<\/a>, the platform is growing faster than peers. In October 2023 it counted 82.3 million users\u201415% more than a year earlier and 62% up on autumn 2021. Over two years, its Russian audience grew by more than 30 million people.<\/p>\n

By recent estimates, over 40% of crypto-related posts on Telegram channels in 2023 turned out<\/a> to be fraudulent. Scammers often delete posts after user complaints, moderation or security takedowns. Most of the removed publications carried headlines with keywords like \u201cearn now\u201d, \u201cfinancial independence\u201d and \u201csmart investments\u201d, pushing people to invest in crypto with promises of outsized returns. Contributions are typically requested via bank cards.<\/p>\n

\"\u0412\u0441\u0435
Data: Telegram.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Main types of crypto fraud<\/h2>\n

At the core of any scam lies psychological pressure. Fraudsters befriend potential victims and slowly build trust. They create fake profiles, impersonate others and initiate conversations to instil confidence and a sense of inevitable success\u2014before pitching \u201cinvestments\u201d while flaunting a fabricated life of luxury.<\/p>\n

Broadly, the most common Telegram schemes include the following.<\/p>\n

Phishing links<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scammers deploy fake apps, exchanges and crypto swap services disguised as legitimate projects. The aim is to nudge victims into transferring funds that then vanish.<\/p>\n

On Telegram they drive traffic to such resources through fake livestreams on video platforms, social posts and hijacked accounts. You can stumble onto these sites and channels via search or even email campaigns.<\/p>\n

Impersonated P2P-platform support<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fraudsters set up Telegram accounts that mimic P2P platforms\u2019 support desks, often indistinguishable from the real thing. They may also send emails that look like official notifications. The goal is to deceive users and gain access to funds or entire accounts.<\/p>\n

In one scenario, they ask for a transfer \u201cto check\u201d or resolve a technical issue. In another, they demand an access code that links a web account to a Telegram bot.<\/p>\n

Over email, they embed phishing links leading to fake platform pages to harvest logins and passwords, drain accounts quickly and disappear.<\/p>\n

Investment schemes and pyramids<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Under the guise of making money, scammers promote projects that are in fact pyramids. A user may be told to open a special wallet and use a bot to buy crypto and select paid \u201caccelerator\u201d plans. Victims are then instructed to create a private Telegram group, invite acquaintances and post a presentation, assuring them the project will soon multiply their assets.<\/p>\n

One example is Alt\u0441oin Club, which touts crypto trading services using users\u2019 funds. The operators inflate a channel with bots and pre-recorded glowing reviews to manufacture trust. Users send money to the cards of \u201cdrops\u201d, convinced crypto is being bought and traded by seasoned professionals.<\/p>\n

\"\u0412\u0441\u0435
Data: Telegram.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terms are alluring: deposit funds that are \u201cguaranteed\u201d to grow 20-fold or more. The minimum is 2,000 rubles. Suggested tiers include 5,900, 9,500 and 10,600 rubles, with amounts above 20,000 discussed individually. All deposits are \u201cinsured\u201d, but the guarantor\u2019s services cost 10% of the profit.<\/p>\n

Once money is in, a sting awaits. When the \u201ctrading session\u201d ends, victims are told to pay the guarantor 10% of the promised profit before any funds are released, then hand over 20% to the trader. A 13% \u201ctax\u201d may also be demanded. The net effect is total loss of the deposit plus additional outlays of 50% or more for gains that never existed.<\/p>\n

Trading education<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On social networks, fraudsters dangle favourable crypto exchange rates and \u201cfinancial literacy\u201d training. They also advertise products ranging from wallets to investment platforms.<\/p>\n

They peddle an easy road to riches\u2014just take a crypto course or back a new project. In practice, these are ruses that typically end with users losing money.<\/p>\n

\"\u0412\u0441\u0435
Data: Telegram.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cInsider\u201d information<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Scammers approach followers of trading channels claiming to possess tips on imminent pumps for a coin or project. They push presale token purchases or route users through fake wallets and phishing links. Such ventures are routinely scams.<\/p>\n

Direct messages<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fraudsters contact users via DMs, posing as heads of crypto groups and pitching high-return projects. They may offer \u201ctraining\u201d and consultations, flaunting supposed expertise to win trust and extract money.<\/p>\n

They also impersonate administrators of financial services, offering help with a problem or a \u201csecurity check\u201d of your wallet. It mirrors the \u201ccalls from the bank\u201d script: they seek sensitive data such as SMS codes, logins and passwords, or try to get you to install malware.<\/p>\n

Bear in mind the entity on the other end may not even be human. Telegram abounds with bots. Some pose as active community members, faking popularity and trust through comments and reactions. Others blast spam in DMs and post comments, luring users to phishing sites or scam channels. Another breed pushes \u201ctrader intel\u201d and signals\u2014useful at first, then segueing into pitches for \u201cexclusive coins\u201d or hidden links.<\/p>\n

\"\u0412\u0441\u0435
Data: Telegram.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to counter scammers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fraudsters exploit gaps in crypto knowledge, offering \u201ctraining\u201d and consultations. They promise quick profits, claim they can recover lost funds and style themselves as experts. To boost credibility, they craft profiles that look genuine. Once money is sent, victims receive nothing.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Before accepting any offer, scrutinise it. Audit what you are being sold.<\/li>\n
  2. Never share login credentials to wallets or exchange accounts.<\/li>\n
  3. Before joining a Telegram channel or group, check subscriber counts and activity. Look for matching accounts across other social networks. Their absence can be a red flag.<\/li>\n
  4. Be wary of pitches promising quick, large profits. Scammers often create urgency with \u201climited-time\u201d offers.<\/li>\n
  5. If a profile looks flashy or freshly minted and its followers seem fake, assume it is suspicious. Treat all offers cautiously and do not rush to invest.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Following these tips will help you avoid crypto scams on social networks and keep your money safe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Telegram now dominates as the platform most frequently exploited for cryptocurrency fraud. Unlike old-fashioned phone scams, which rely on instant reactions and blind trust, messaging allows scammers to cultivate victims over time. Grigory Osipov, director of investigations at \u00ab\u0428\u0410\u0420\u0414\u00bb, explains the most common Telegram schemes to ForkLog. Why Telegram? The most popular venues for crypto […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13883,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"select":"","news_style_id":"","cryptorium_level":"","_short_excerpt_text":"","creation_source":"","_metatest_mainpost_news_update":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1144],"tags":[1111,1246,723],"class_list":["post-13884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-longreads","tag-cybersecurity","tag-scammers","tag-telegram"],"aioseo_notices":[],"amp_enabled":true,"views":"64","promo_type":"","layout_type":"","short_excerpt":"","is_update":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/u1f987.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}