“A few weeks ago, someone added me to a Telegram group where they displayed trading PnLs. Later, they asked us to download their app to make such huge profits, and now they’ve run off with my ₹10 lakh,” one of the victims told our team. So, here’s the question: how to report a Telegram scammer?
There are more than 1,000 such cases reported every day. Despite this, most of the scammers are wandering freely with another plan to loot people.
To stop this, it is important to take quick and appropriate action without further delay. To report a Telegram scam, it is important to understand and recognize the type of scam first.
In today’s world, there are different types of scams and some of the common one are enlisted below:
1. Telegram Tips Scam
Beginner traders and investors generally fall for these scams. Starting from social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, victims are led to premium Telegram groups with the hope of earning profits in stock market trading.
Unaware that taking trading tips from unauthorized research analysts or advisors can lead to big trouble, they blindly follow them. Although these scams are related to stock market trading, SEBI doesn’t take responsibility for losses. However, quick action might help people recover the fees they paid.
2. Prepaid Task Scams
Another common Telegram scam these days is the prepaid task scam. Scammers add people to a group and ask them to do simple tasks like watching YouTube videos or liking and sharing videos.
Users get paid for completing their tasks. After gaining trust, scammers ask them to do paid tasks, which require victims to deposit some funds to continue.
Later, when they ask for payments, scammers block them and run off with their capital.
One recent case our team came across involved a B.Tech graduate who lost ₹33 lakh in one such scam. In this case, the only option left with the victim is to report it to Cyber Crime.
3. Unrealistic Profit Earning Scams
In this type of scam, scammers first gain users’ trust using different tactics and later ask them to deposit money in their bank account with the promise of providing double returns.
Users who blindly trust the scammer and are full of greed transfer money to the scammer’s account.
4. Off-Platform Scams
These are common in trading, where scammers share clone trading app links and ask traders to deposit money into their bank account to trade.
Beginner traders, unaware of the process, transfer their hard-earned money to scammers with the hope of growing it but lose their entire amount.
In such cases, SEBI doesn’t take responsibility. However, quick and immediate action to file a complaint with Cyber Crime with proper drafting and documentation of the case is essential. You can also lodge an FIR at the nearest police station.
Depending on the nature and complexity of the case, you can report online Telegram scams to higher authorities in your state.
How to File a Cyber Crime Complaint?
Filing a complaint to Cyber Crime is completely online, and you can file it by first registering and then logging in using your username, mobile number, and OTP.
After logging in, you need to fill out three different forms to report a Telegram scammer:
- In the first form, enter the incident details with the approximate date and time.
- Enter the details of the suspect.
- Enter your name, phone number, and details of your local police station.
So, what happens after Cyber Crime complaints?
The Cyber police check details and do proper investigation on the basis of evidences provided & gathered.
In general, Cyber Crime respond in 10-12 days, however in case of no response or unsatisfactory response, you can reach out and lodge a complaint with the Nodal Office of your state.
How to File a Complaint to SEBI?
SEBI provides a SCORES portal for traders to file complaints against registered entities like stockbrokers, RAs, and IAs. In case of a non-registered entity or Telegram scam, you can send an email to sebi@sebi.gov.in.
Make sure to draft the email with detailed information and include proofs like screenshots, video recordings, and bank transaction details. Keep an eye on the response and reply as required.
If a registered entity is involved in any kind of Telegram tips scam, follow the steps below:
- Access the SCORES portal and register by entering your details, including your PAN card number.
- Log in by entering your User ID followed by the OTP received on your mobile number.
- Click on the Lodge a Complaint section.
- Draft your complaint by providing detailed information.
- Upload necessary proofs.
- Submit your complaint.
Cyber Crime and SEBI must introduce awareness programs to protect people from falling into such scams.
There should be proper education and alert notices. However, people often become aware of these scams after reading or hearing about cases in newspapers, on websites, news channels, or social media platforms.
Proper initiatives by these organizations can reduce the number of such cases and the need for searches like “how to report Telegram scammers.”
