One of the most popular messengers at the moment is Telegram. People use it to chat, explore different groups, subscribe to interesting channels, and keep up with the news.
Telegram is a good platform for fraudsters, where they scam users out of money by offering to join a group for various online earnings, which is not true.
Telegram Fraud
Using Telegram, fraudsters send phishing messages with ads and links, offering online earnings or enticing clients with:
- hot offers;
- incredible discounts;
- attractive gifts.
If a user responds to such ads and follows the provided link, there is a chance they might end up on a fraudulent site where malicious software can be installed on their device, later reading the user's personal data.
Scam in Telegram
Most ads in Telegram are scams sent by fraudsters hoping to attract more subscribers or users. The main goal is to lure as many people as possible to later deceive them and steal either money or personal information.
Often, scammers in Telegram disguise themselves as microfinance organizations offering short-term loans. This way, they gather information from people applying, where they need to provide:
- personal data;
- passport details;
- bank card numbers.
Fraudsters can skillfully use this, copying the information and taking out a loan for themselves while telling the client that their loan was not approved.
Scams in Telegram
There is also a scam in Telegram such as working through messengers. It's enough for a user to subscribe to a channel, and they will perform simple tasks for which they are promised big money. Usually, after completing the work, the subscriber receives no payment. The fraudster may even ask for payment to participate in the work or make a contribution to a card to withdraw salary. This is all fraud; after receiving money to the card, the scammer does not intend to pay anything and breaks off all correspondence with the victim. The goal is achieved, personal information is collected, and the client's money is stolen.
Fraudsters in Messengers
Using artificial intelligence, fraudsters can fake people's voices. Criminals hack user accounts in messengers and, pretending to be friends or relatives, ask for money as a loan. For greater persuasion, fraudsters use voice messages created using AI voice cloning. Similar recordings are obtained from various chats and videos that users recklessly post online. Such schemes work well; a person does not always call back and verify if their friend really needs financial help.
Fake Telegram Bots
Fraudsters use Telegram bots that often copy well-known logos and brand names, thus misleading users. These disguised fraudulent bots steal client data. The bot can request from users:
- personal data;
- banking details, supposedly for transfers;
- phone numbers, to which messages with links are sent, containing malicious software.
After installing this software, fraudsters gain access to users' devices and steal personal data and funds from banking applications.
Scams in Chats
After hacking an account, fraudsters gain access to the victim's chats, connecting there unauthorized, they can run their scams, post malicious ads with a call to follow the link. There might be offers for online earnings, social or charitable assistance, organization of charitable collections, help for those in need. There are quite a few such schemes in the chat, most people know each other and naturally believe the posted information, not even suspecting that the user's account is hacked and a fraudster is working there.
Telegram Fraud Schemes
Fraudsters have invented various schemes in Telegram, they use such types as:
- phishing mailings;
- fake Telegram channels;
- fraud in dating and romantic relationship groups;
- impersonation fraud;
- posing as tech support staff in a Telegram channel;
- fake job ads;
- fraudulent investment offers;
- cryptocurrency fraud.
Fake Crypto Groups
By creating fake crypto groups, fraudsters work according to this scheme – they present themselves as cryptocurrency experts and traders, deceiving group subscribers into investing money in cryptocurrency and sending it to fraudsters. The result of such activities is the financial loss of investors.
They also send messages inviting people to join the group as they are experienced crypto-investors and offer to achieve financial success together. In this case, the fraudster manages to convince the victim to transfer cryptocurrency to a new account for investment.