How To Avoid Seven Common Telegram App Scams

Updated on March 31, 2025.

Telegram is a messaging platform used for people to communicate in large groups or broadcast messages in channels. Some common Telegram scams include fake channels, tech support scams, phishing scams and cryptocurrency scams. By falling for these scams, you could lose your money, have your device infected with malware or even wind up with your identity stolen.

Continue reading to learn how Telegram is used for scams, the seven most common types of scams on the app and how to avoid them.

How is Telegram used for scams?

Scammers rely on social engineering techniques when using Telegram to steal your personal information, including financial details, and commit identity theft. Some may even sell your personal information on the dark web to make a profit. Even though Telegram has many security features to protect you, determined scammers can exploit the app’s privacy settings to interact with you without revealing information that could identify them as dangerous. Scammers will hide their phone numbers and display a username instead on their Telegram accounts, and they will enable end-to-end encryption on their chats so their messages won’t be intercepted or monitored.

Latest scams on Telegram to be aware of

Here are several common scams you may encounter while using Telegram.

1. Fake Telegram channels

Media organizations and celebrities use Telegram channels to broadcast messages on various topics, from international news and wildlife photos to memes and baking recipes. Anyone can create a channel, and scammers exploit this by creating Telegram channels that impersonate popular, legitimate ones. They tend to copy profile pictures, pinned messages and use similar admin usernames to trick victims.

The harm of this scam occurs when the fake admins contact you directly, urging you to click on a link to learn more about their channel. However, this link likely contains malware, which could then infect your device. Always verify the legitimacy of a Telegram channel before engaging with admins, fellow users or unsolicited links.

2. Telegram tech support scams

Scammers pose as legitimate tech support agents and use bots to scan channels for users reporting issues. For example, if there is a channel for a large clothing brand and you report having issues shopping online, a scammer’s bot might scan for keywords related to technical issues and reach out to you. They will pretend to offer help through technical support and will want to control your device remotely. Do not allow this, as the tech support agent in this scenario is most likely a scammer attempting to steal your private information. Always contact official channels directly instead of sharing sensitive information with someone who contacts you first.

3. Telegram impersonation scams

Impersonation scams occur when a scammer pretends to be someone they’re not, like a company or public figure, to trick you into sharing personal information. For example, you may be on a channel and receive a message from a fake Telegram admin about a giveaway or prize. The scammer might say that, to win the prize, all you need to do is share your personal information, such as your shipping address or credit card information. Sharing this information can lead to identity theft or credit card fraud.

4. Telegram romance scams

If someone you met on a Telegram channel claims to be your soulmate and repeatedly asks for money, you may be interacting with a catfisher. Romance scammers build intimate, online relationships and then invent fake emergencies to ask for money. Sending a romance scammer money or personal information can lead to financial loss and expose private details about your identity. Be cautious if someone you’ve just met on Telegram or any other online platform asks for money or sensitive information.

5. Telegram phishing scams

Phishing scams can happen on the Telegram app or through phishing emails that appear to come from the messaging platform. Scammers trick you into sharing personal information by pretending to be someone you trust, like a verified account you follow or a legitimate business. They rely on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and use bots to impersonate bank or mobile carrier representatives, messaging you to ask for your private information to verify your accounts. Outside Telegram, you may receive an email claiming your account will be deactivated unless you click a link within 24 hours. This is another method that scammers use to steal your login credentials and install malware on your device. Be aware of urgent requests for personal information, as these are usually common indicators of phishing attempts.

6. Telegram fake job listings and offers scams

Scammers post fake job listings and offers on Telegram to mislead you into sharing personal information. For example, you may follow a channel for work-from-home job opportunities, and a fake user posts an intriguing job description. While applying for the job, the job application asks for your Social Security number (SSN) or credit card information. Legitimate companies never ask for such information at this stage, so this should be a sign that it is a scam. Failing to recognize that these job listings or offers are illegitimate could lead to identity theft.

7. Telegram cryptocurrency scams

Since Telegram is a popular messaging app for those interested in cryptocurrency, scammers have taken advantage of this interest by creating crypto-related scams. In these scams, scammers impersonate crypto experts and convince you to invest or send cryptocurrency. You may receive a message from someone claiming to be a crypto investor with opportunities for financial success. However, if you agree to invest, the scammer will have you move your cryptocurrency into a new account for the investment, leading to them stealing your money. Anyone guaranteeing you a high return on your crypto investment should not be trusted due to the number of crypto scammers on Telegram.

How to stay safe from scams on Telegram

Although there are various scams on the Telegram app, you can also take preventative measures to protect yourself from falling for these scams. Here are some of the best ways to stay safe when using Telegram:

• Never respond to unsolicited requests for personal information: Avoid sharing your Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including your SSN, bank account information and credit card number, with anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Sharing this information can lead to identity theft.
• Avoid clicking on unsolicited links: Don’t click on links from strangers. These links can contain malware that steals your private information and infects your entire device. Always check that the link is safe before clicking by hovering your mouse over it to preview the URL or inserting the link into a URL checker.
• Secure your Telegram account: Use a strong, unique password on your Telegram account. Ensure it contains at least 16 characters, combining uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Also, enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security. Telegram supports Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) by sending a code to your linked phone number for identity verification. This protects your account even if your Telegram password is compromised.
• Adjust your Telegram account’s privacy settings: Enable end-to-end encryption for Telegram messages by starting a Secret Chat. To do this, create a new message, tap New Secret Chat and select which contact you want to send an encrypted message to. This ensures your messages are encrypted, can self-destruct and will not be forwarded. Note that this only works for direct messages, not group chats or channels.

Protect yourself against Telegram scammers

Scammers are everywhere, including Telegram, so it’s important to protect yourself and your personal information online. One of the most important steps in securing your Telegram account and any online account is having a strong password. Keeper Password Manager offers a built-in password generator to help you create strong, secure passwords.

Start your free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today to stay protected against scammers on Telegram and beyond with strong password practices.