Almost every other person has a telegram app on their phone device. No wonder, with time, this messaging app has gained a lot more popularity because of its privacy-focused features and large group chats and channels. But with its rise in popularity, scammers have also found new ways to trick unsuspecting users. If you’re wondering, “Can you get scammed on Telegram?” the short answer is YES!
Let’s dive into how these scams work and how to protect yourself.
Common Types of Telegram Scams in India
Telegram, the messaging app known for its robust privacy feature, has become a platform for scammers to run scams like phishing scam, fake investment advisory channels, cryptocurrency scams, tech support, etc
All such scams eventually lead to loss of capital of victim causing financial & emotional distress.
Below are some of the common types of telegram scams resulting in huge losses.
- Investment & Cryptocurrency Scams
Most of the scammers are successful in executing the scams because of the greed of people who want to get rich quickly. Scammers create fake groups and offer fake investment schemes with high returns.
Such scams often start with an advertisement on social media, or sometimes, the scammer reaches out to people through direct contact.
Also, to make themselves look authentic, they use the names of well-known companies or financial institutions. Once they can build trust, they ask victims to deposit money and encourage them to add more by displaying fake profits.
The victim realizes the scam when they fail to withdraw funds. - Fake Telegram Channels
Many popular organizations use Telegram to market their services, creating channels to broadcast updates and engage with their audience. This strategy helps them expand their reach and build a loyal subscriber base.
However, scammers have found a way to exploit this system.
Fraudsters create fake Telegram channels, mimicking the branding, profile pictures, and details of legitimate organizations to make their channels appear authentic. Unsuspecting users, believing they are following the official channel, subscribe without hesitation.
The real danger begins when these scammers personally reach out to subscribers, sending malicious links that either redirect them to a cloned app or install malware designed to steal sensitive data.
By the time the victim realizes, the scammer has already wiped off their bank account, leaving them with devastating financial losses. - Imposter Scams
In Imposter scams, fraudsters pose as trusted figures such as government officials, company executives, customer support representatives, or even friends and family. Their goal is to manipulate victims into providing sensitive information or making payments.
These scams often occur through phone calls, emails, or messages on social media and Telegram.
Scammers generally pretend to be from tax authorities, law enforcement, or financial institutions. They claim that the victim owes money or that their account has been compromised.
Some even impersonate high-profile individuals, offering fake business opportunities or grants.
Once trust is established, they trick victims and ask them to transfer money, share passwords, or click on malicious links that steal their data.
By the time they realize the fraud, their funds or sensitive information are already in the hands of the scammers. - Ponzi & MLM Schemes
Ponzi and Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes are classic financial traps. Scammer reaches out to victims either through social media ads or referrals.
They display ads like 50% return at no risk, which encourages people to click on it, redirecting them to telegram channels.
The scammer lured joinees further by displaying fake PnL screenshots.
They promise high returns, often claiming profits come from trading, mining, or other business activities.
In reality, these schemes rely on new investors’ money to pay earlier investors, creating an unsustainable cycle.
At first, early investors may receive payouts, which they mistake for real profits. Encouraged by these initial gains, they reinvest more money and recruit others.
However, when scammers fail to find new investors or withdrawals exceed deposits, the scheme collapses, leaving the majority of participants with significant losses.
Unlike legitimate MLM models that focus on selling actual products or services, Ponzi schemes generate revenue solely from trapping new investors.
Once the scam reaches its limit, the organizers disappear, taking all the money with them. - Fake Jobs Scams
With the rise of online job portals and remote work opportunities, fake job scams have become increasingly sophisticated. These scams often target job seekers with attractive offers, promising high salaries, flexible working hours, or international placements.
Scammers typically pose as recruiters or HR representatives from well-known companies. They post job listings on social media, Telegram, WhatsApp, and even legitimate job portals.
Once a candidate applies, a scammer asks them to pay for training materials, security deposits, or processing fees.
Another common variation of this scam involves work-from-home opportunities.
Scammers lure victims by offering simple online tasks such as liking and subscribing to channels or watching videos, promising small but consistent payouts. Initially, they pay as expected, building trust with the victim.
Once trust is established, scammers introduce “prepaid tasks,” where victims are asked to invest money upfront with the promise of almost double returns.
Encouraged by initial payouts, victims invest larger amounts only to find their funds locked. Eventually, the scammers delete the group, block the victim, and disappear with the money.
How to Stay Safe on Telegram?
No doubt, scammers stay one step ahead, but a little awareness and alertness can help you to protect yourself from getting trapped in such scams:
- Verify Before You Trust – Always double-check official accounts, and don’t trust random messages offering easy money.
- Avoid Sharing Personal Info – Never share your phone number, passwords, or verification codes with anyone.
- Be Wary of Urgent Requests – Scammers create a sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
- Report & Block Suspicious Users – Learn how to report online frauds in India and take quick action to recover your lost amount.
Conclusion
Yes, you can get scammed on Telegram, but you don’t have to!
By staying alert and following these safety tips, you can enjoy the app without falling into common traps.
Have you ever encountered a Telegram scam? Fill in the details below, and our team will assist you in reporting the case.
