How to identify and prevent fraud on Telegram: a practical and safe guide

Key aspects

• Telegram (TG) is a messaging platform known for its robust privacy features, very popular in the crypto world. However, some of its functionalities can also be exploited by scammers, so users should remain vigilant.

• Recently, there has been an increase in related frauds, especially cases where criminals impersonate Gate employees to commit scams, phishing, or investment fraud. It is important to note that if a Telegram user displays personal information in their biography and claims to be an employee, they are most likely an impostor. The real account information should appear in the username.

• In this article, we will analyze the most common scams on Telegram and share recommendations to avoid falling for them.

Identity theft on Telegram

Posing as Gate employees

It is common for scammers to impersonate Gate staff.

In a recent case, a Gate user was contacted by a supposed "financial advisor" on Telegram who offered to help him make money by participating in a fake "Gate Airdrop". Subsequently, the scammer impersonated Gate and notified the user that he had to pay taxes, providing him with a phishing link to make the payment.

Note: Scammers posing as Gate staff often use the platform's official logo and name. Their true objective is to gain the trust of users in order to scam them.

Impersonating Gate bots

It is also common for criminals to impersonate Gate's customer service bots.

Note: Although the displayed name is "Gate Customer Service", it is not an official account of the Gate support channel.

Imitating Gate communities

The following is an example of a fake Telegram group. Users were added to a group that used the Gate logo, and in the chat, there was a fake customer service representative.

Note: In this group chat, scammers promoted fake mining activities, asking users to pay ETH to receive supposed BNB.

Security tips against identity theft on Telegram

• Carefully verify the contact information on Telegram; account details can be found on the profile page. Pay special attention to the fact that the real account name is in the username column. Do not rely solely on the information in the biography, as it can be arbitrarily modified. Anyone can falsely claim to be an official member of Gate in that section. Below is an illustration of a user profile page. Note that scammers often display seemingly official information in the biography column while hiding the real usernames to deceive users.

Remember that if a Telegram user displays personal information in the biography column claiming to be an employee, they are most likely an impostor. The actual account information should be in the username column.

• When reviewing the account information, pay attention to every letter of the username, checking uppercase, lowercase, and special characters. Some scammers use similar characters or alternate uppercase and lowercase to make their accounts look very much like the official ones. Without careful inspection, it's easy to miss the difference. For example: Fraudulent accounts may use the lowercase "l" to replace the uppercase "I" in Gate, resulting in "GlATE". At first glance, these characters look very similar!

• Additionally, Gate provides a verification service to confirm official accounts on social media. Enter the username in the search bar to see the results. The following image shows the verification of an official Gate account. If a TG contact provides you with a verified screenshot to gain your trust, make sure to carefully review the information and source of the username, and verify it in the Gate system to confirm that it is an official account.

Phishing Scams on Telegram

Malware

Users can find unofficial Telegram download links on search engines or social media. These unofficial channels often repack the Telegram software by adding malicious features that jeopardize the user's information and asset security.

Note: There is currently no official Chinese version (CN) of Telegram; avoid downloading it to not fall victim to malware.

Cryptocurrency raffle fraud

It is common for users to receive messages on Telegram inviting them to pay a small fee to participate in cryptocurrency lotteries. In most cases, the benefits of these activities are described as very attractive.

The following are real examples of this type of scam.

Note: The screenshot shows a lottery fraud where the scammer asks the user to pay a small amount upfront to receive a later reward. Once the user makes the transaction, they lose their assets.

Security tips against phishing on Telegram

• Download software only from official channels. Always verify the source of downloads and avoid installation packages from third-party sites. Unofficial clients may be maliciously modified to take control of the account, read all chat logs, and collect device information, posing a significant threat. If you are using software from unofficial sources, remove it immediately and reinstall it from official sources.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security on your TG account. This makes it harder for hackers to gain access and take control. Steps to enable 2FA on Telegram: (TG Profile → Privacy and Security → Two-Step Verification ).

• Never share personal or sensitive information when using Telegram. This includes full name, username, phone number, email, password, seed phrase, bank details, etc.

• Do not click on links shared by untrusted sources. Doing so or sharing confidential information may result in the loss of personal data and assets.

Investment Frauds on Telegram

False airdrops

An airdrop fraud is a phishing attack that tricks users into claiming supposed fake airdrops. Scammers often convince victims to pay, link their wallets to malicious smart contracts, or share private keys to receive the fake "airdrop". These promises are never fulfilled, leading users to lose personal information and/or assets.

Note: This is an example of a fake airdrop fraud from IO.NET (IO). Scammers deceive users into believing they can obtain tokens that are not yet listed through a "presale". Even if a user receives IO tokens, they are likely to be fake.

Fake tokens

The following are scams related to fake tokens. Scammers create temporary accounts/groups/sites on Telegram as channels to promote fraudulent tokens, deceiving victims with promises of high returns. Fake tokens lack real value or liquidity.

Note: Fake token frauds abound during Launchpools. If a marketing campaign is advertised as part of Gate's Launchpool program but is launched on another platform, it is likely a scam. To learn about the latest official activities of Gate Launchpool, periodically check Gate's official website for accurate and up-to-date information.

Investment Fraud Safety Tips on Telegram

• Never trust investment campaigns that promise extremely high returns. If an investment seems too attractive, it is likely hiding a scam.

• Visit the official Gate website to see the authorized events and participate only in official activities. Be careful of counterfeits.

• Before making investment decisions, stay alert and carefully research the source of the project and related details to ensure its authenticity.