11 min 43
Telegram Anti-Scam Guide: Tips to Protect Your Crypto Assets!
If you’re active in the crypto space, you’ve likely used or considered using Telegram to join project communities, receive updates, or discuss market trends with fellow enthusiasts.
However, Telegram’s popularity among crypto investors has also made it a prime hunting ground for scammers. Phishing traps and fraudulent schemes targeting crypto users are rampant, and even a small mistake can lead to devastating losses.
This guide will explain what Telegram is, review past crypto scams on the platform, break down common tactics, share practical security tips, and empower you with the knowledge to safeguard your crypto investments!
What is Telegram? A popular messaging platform in the cryptocurrency community!
Telegram is a privacy-focused messaging app launched in 2013 by Russian founders Pavel and Nikolai Durov. Unlike other platforms, Telegram emphasizes end-to-end encryption, supports large file transfers (up to 2 GB), and allows anonymous use with group sizes up to 200,000.
Its "Secret Chat" feature, which auto-deletes messages after a set time, has made it a favorite in the crypto community. By 2025, Telegram boasts over 1 billion active users globally and serves as a hub for crypto projects to share announcements, airdrops, and investor discussions.
Telegram Scams: Billions Lost Annually
Telegram’s anonymity and flexibility are a double-edged sword. Scammers exploit these features to create fake accounts, steal identities, and drain victims’ crypto wallets. Over the past few years, global Telegram-related scams have resulted in losses exceeding hundreds of millions of dollars.
Notable Cases:
- UNODC Report (2024): Southeast Asian crime syndicates laundered $49 – 64 billion via Telegram crypto scams between 2021 – 2024, using fake investment platforms and mixers.
- Chainalysis (2023): Crypto scams (fake airdrops, phishing) caused over $5 billion in losses in 2022 – 2023 alone.
Common Telegram Crypto Scams: 5 Tactics Exposed
Scammers prey on greed and fear. Here’s how to spot their tricks:
Fake Official Messages: Impersonating Telegram Support
Scam Method: Users receive messages claiming, "Your account has security risks, and it will be locked if you do not click the link and log in within 24 hours." The link directs to a fake website, asking to scan a QR code or enter a verification code. Once done, the account is compromised, and the associated wallet may also be exposed.
Detection Method: Telegram does not randomly send private messages to individual users. Scammers often use fake URLs that closely resemble the official website (telegram.org), with slight variations such as extra or missing letters or dots, making it easy for unsuspecting users to be deceived. If you have concerns about the security of your account, please contact the official website for verification.
Tip: Telegram has no official support team — issues are handled by volunteers.
Impersonating Exchange Customer Support
Scam Method: Scammers lurk in various groups, targeting users with questions about exchanges. They send private messages on Telegram, posing as customer support from Binance, Coinbase or other well-known exchanges. They either pretend to help solve problems while gathering personal information or claim that your account has unusual transactions and funds will be frozen, asking you to click a link or provide verification information to "confirm your identity."
Detection Method: Legitimate exchanges will never initiate private messages asking you to click links or transfer funds. Use the official website or the correct app's customer support to resolve issues.
Fake Investment Groups
Scam Method: Scammers invite you to groups with "insider information," where fake accounts show profit screenshots. They either provide addresses for personal wallets or guide you to transfer cryptocurrency to a specified wallet.
Detection Method: Groups may seem lively, but few respond to detailed questions. Transfer addresses are often newly created and have short usage histories. Use a blockchain browser to verify the wallet's usage or check the creation information and transaction status of the coin. Verify the authenticity of the websites mentioned in the group multiple times.
Fake Friendship Scams
Scam Method: Scammers impersonate someone you know on Telegram, either by hacking a friend's account or creating a similar ID. They send private messages asking for help, often with a fake screenshot showing an account lockout or login issue. They claim, "My account has a problem, and I urgently need your help to verify it." The message will ask for your Telegram verification code or guide you to click a "recover account" link.
Detection Method: These "fake friend" messages often have an urgent tone, such as "Help me quickly, or my account will be gone," intentionally not giving you time to think calmly. Telegram will not ask for verification codes through friends. Before assisting, confirm the authenticity through other channels (like a phone call or another messaging app).
Fake Airdrop Activities
Scam Method: Scammers post "free airdrop activities" in Telegram groups or channels, providing a seemingly legitimate website link to guide users. Once connected to the wallet, the website asks for "authorization contract," actually transferring the wallet's transfer permissions to the scammer, quickly moving specific assets out.
Detection Method: This scam preys on users' expectations of free rewards, especially targeting inexperienced cryptocurrency investors. Legitimate airdrop activities will never ask for private keys or mnemonic phrases and are usually announced only through the project's official website or verified community channels. Ensure you enter through official paths before participating in any airdrop.
Five Tips to Protect Yourself from Cryptocurrency Scams on Telegram
Verify Link Sources, Avoid Random Clicks and Scans
Before clicking any links or scanning QR codes, ensure the message is from an official source. Verify that the URL is telegram.org. Scammers often use slightly altered URLs to deceive users. Official Telegram will not send private messages asking you to scan QR codes.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Telegram has a built-in 2FA feature. Enabling this adds an extra layer of security. Even if your verification code is stolen, the attacker will still need your password to log in, significantly reducing the risk of account theft.
Keep Your Private Keys Secure
Never share your private keys or connect to unknown websites. Legitimate projects will never ask for your private keys or mnemonic phrases for airdrops or other activities.
Be Cautious with Identity Verification
If someone contacts you using a familiar name asking for help or providing transaction-related information, verify their identity through other channels. Fake screenshots are easy to create, so don't trust them blindly.
Avoid "Guaranteed" Returns
Any investment promising "guaranteed profits" is likely a scam. If you encounter such offers, stay calm and verify the information. Don't let greed cloud your judgment.
Bonus Tip: Universal Method to Identify Fake Websites
Scammers often use fake websites to deceive users, regardless of the type of scam. From phishing emails pretending to be from banks to fake shopping platform links, and even fake customer support or airdrop websites on Telegram, scammers frequently use this tactic because it has a high success rate.
Here's a universal method to identify fake websites:
Check the Domain Registration Date
Scammers often use domains that have been registered recently, typically within the past year. Once they have made enough money, they abandon the domain to avoid being traced. Domain registration usually costs money, so scammers do not keep these domains for long.
You can use a WHOIS lookup tool to check the registration date and expiration date of a website. If the website was registered recently or is about to expire, be very cautious. Fake websites are often registered just a few months before they are used and expire within a year.
Steps to Check Domain Registration Date
Go to a WHOIS lookup website, such as whois.icann.org or whois.com
- Enter the URL of the website you want to check
Look for the "Creation Date" and "Expiration Date" in the results
If the website was created recently (within the last few months) and is set to expire soon (within a year), it is likely a fake website.
By following this simple step, you can filter out many potential scams and protect yourself from fraudulent activities.
Using Telegram Safely in the Cryptocurrency Community
Telegram is a popular tool in the cryptocurrency community for gathering the latest information. However, it also comes with risks. To use Telegram safely, users should be aware of common scam tactics, know how to detect and avoid them, and maintain strong blockchain wallet security practices. This will help ensure a secure investment environment, even if profits are not guaranteed.
Tips for Safe Use of Telegram:
Stay Informed About Scam Tactics
Familiarize yourself with common scam methods, such as phishing links, fake customer support, and impersonation scams.
Verify Information
When encountering "high-return opportunities" or "urgent customer service notifications," take a moment to pause and calmly assess the credibility of the information.
Use Reliable Sources
Always verify the authenticity of messages and links. Use official channels and trusted sources for information.
Enable Security Features
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Telegram account to add an extra layer of security.
Protect Your Private Keys
Never share your private keys or connect to unknown websites. Legitimate projects will never ask for your private keys.
Be Cautious with Identity Verification
If someone contacts you using a familiar name asking for help or providing transaction-related information, verify their identity through other channels.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can minimize the risks associated with using Telegram in the cryptocurrency community.
