Telegram scams: How can you secure your business?

Known for its encrypted messaging, file sharing, and private channels, Telegram has become a go-to app for both personal and business communication. However, as the platform's popularity increases, so do the online threats associated with it. From phishing schemes to malware as a service, cybercriminals take advantage of Telegram's anonymity and huge user base.

Understanding how these Telegram app scams work becomes inevitable for protecting sensitive data — whether personal or business.

In this article, we'll look into what scams on Telegram are, how cybercriminals use the platform in their attack strategies, and how to spot and prevent the most common types of scams.

What is a Telegram scam?

Telegram scam is a type of fraud that can occur on the Telegram platform. Scammers exploit the platform's most popular features (think of encrypted messaging, private channels, and anonymous user profiles) to deceive individuals and businesses.

While Telegram's focus on privacy and security is appealing to legitimate users, it unfortunately creates endless opportunities for Telegram fraudsters looking to exploit its users.

In fact, the platform's anonymity is one of the key reasons the number of scams using Telegram is growing. These days, Telegram scammers can create fake Telegram accounts, impersonate businesses, or operate within private groups to avoid detection. They can then distribute malicious files or phishing links, adding yet another layer of risk.

Businesses are especially vulnerable as cybercriminals increasingly leverage Telegram for cyberattacks. From impersonating C-level executives to delivering malware disguised as legitimate business files, Telegram scams can lead to severe consequences, ranging from data breaches and financial losses to hard-to-recover reputational damage.

How do Telegram scams work?

Telegram scams usually begin with cybercriminals abusing the platform's unique features to commit fraud and trick users. Scammers often employ social engineering tactics, such as impersonation scams, to trick victims into sharing personal information or clicking on malicious links.

For example, scammers may impersonate top-level executives, act as customer support and perform tech support scams, or promote fake investment opportunities. In some cases, they distribute malware via Telegram bots or channels, infecting devices and stealing both personal and corporate data.

By taking advantage of Telegram's anonymity and wide-reaching capabilities, scammers can execute the full chain of attack to infect devices and steal data without being noticed.

How do cybercriminals use Telegram in the attack chain?

Cybercriminals use Telegram at various stages of the attack chain to maximize their reach and avoid detection. The main stages include:

Reconnaissance

The attack chain often begins with cybercriminals gathering information on their targets. They may join public groups, analyze conversations, or research publicly available data about individuals or businesses.

Attackers often look for clues that reveal organizational structures, employee roles, or ongoing projects. They may also monitor discussions related to specific industries to identify potential targets. By lurking in relevant Telegram channels or forums, scammers can quietly collect valuable insights without drawing attention.

Doing so helps them identify potential victims and gather insights, such as the names of key employees or business details, to make their attacks more convincing.

Social engineering

Once attackers have gathered sufficient information, they may engage in social engineering tactics. Impersonating trusted figures, like executives or IT support, cybercriminals use Telegram to deceive victims into sharing personal information or financial details.

To make their approach more convincing, attackers may create fake group chats that appear to involve multiple colleagues, increasing the sense of legitimacy. They may also send unsolicited direct messages marked as urgent or confidential, pressuring the victim to act quickly without verifying the request.

In some cases, cybercriminals use voice messages or video calls to further establish trust, making it even harder for victims to detect the scam and making it easier for fraudsters to steal personal data.

Malware distribution

At this stage, cybercriminals use Telegram bots or fake channels to distribute malicious files or phishing links. These links can lead to the installation of malware on the victim's device, allowing scammers to steal data or gain unauthorized access to systems.

Attackers often disguise these malicious files as legitimate documents, software updates, or even fake job listings to increase the chances of victims downloading them.

Some bots are programmed to automatically send harmful attachments or links when triggered by specific keywords in chat groups. Once installed, the malware can harvest credentials, track user activity, or even grant remote control to the attacker, putting personal or business data at risk.

Exploitation and sale of stolen data

After compromising the victim, cybercriminals can use Telegram to sell stolen data, such as corporate credentials or sensitive files. The anonymity provided by Telegram allows criminals to carry out these transactions without fear of being easily traced.

Coordination and collaboration among Telegram scammers

Scammers on Telegram can also use the platform to coordinate and collaborate with other cybercriminals. Telegram groups and channels can be used to provide a semi-private space for sharing attack strategies, discussing vulnerabilities, or even offering cybercrime as a service.

Within these groups, criminals may exchange tips on social engineering techniques, share phishing kits, or pool resources to target larger organizations. This collective knowledge and resource-sharing make cyberattacks more sophisticated and harder to detect.

In some cases, attackers even auction off stolen credentials or offer hacking services, increasing the potential for account takeover and data breaches.

Why is Telegram a growing threat vector for businesses?

Telegram is becoming a preferred tool for cybercriminals targeting businesses, and several factors contribute to its rise as a threat vector:

• Anonymity and encryption. Two of the platform's key features (strong end-to-end encryption and anonymous Telegram accounts) make it difficult for authorities to spot malicious activities. Cybercriminals can create scam accounts, impersonate employees or executives, and operate in private channels or groups, making their actions harder to monitor and shut down.
• Large user base. The platform's popularity with individuals and businesses alike provides attackers with a wide pool of potential targets, ranging from unsuspecting employees to legitimate companies with valuable data.
• Malware delivery and phishing. Telegram's ability to host channels and bots makes it a convenient platform for distributing malicious links, phishing schemes, and malware. Telegram scammers can send targeted messages with harmful attachments or direct users to fake login pages, stealing login credentials or installing malware.
• Ease of scalability. Telegram's group chat and channel features allow attackers to scale their operations quickly. They can carry out large-scale phishing campaigns or distribute stolen data to numerous buyers in one go. All of this makes it a high-risk platform for businesses, as cybercriminals can launch coordinated attacks targeting many users at once.
• Integration with other attacks. Telegram is often used as a part of a broader attack strategy. Whether it's to distribute infostealer malware, track data breaches, or coordinate with other actors on the dark web, Telegram provides a flexible environment for cybercriminals to enhance the effectiveness and reach of their operations.

Due to these features, businesses need to be more vigilant in recognizing potential risks associated with Telegram and implement proactive measures to safeguard sensitive data from being compromised.

Common Telegram app scams

Telegram has become a prominent platform for various types of fraud, with scammers continuously finding new ways to exploit its features. From impersonation schemes to malware distribution, Telegram scams target businesses in multiple ways.

Executive impersonation and social engineering

One of the most common scams involves cybercriminals impersonating top-level executives like CEOs or CFOs. These scams often use social engineering techniques to deceive employees into acting quickly — whether it's transferring money or providing sensitive information (bank details, payment details, personal or financial information, etc.).

Scammers create fake accounts, pose as trusted individuals, and send urgent messages that prompt victims to act without verifying the source, leading to potential financial or data loss.

Fake support channels and brand impersonation

In this type of scam, cybercriminals tend to mimic your company's name, logo, other branding details, or official messaging style to create fake support channels and commit tech support scams.

Naturally, these scam accounts are used to deceive customers or business partners into providing personal information, making payments, pressing fake links, or downloading malicious files.

Since these fake Telegram channels may look legitimate at first glance, victims are often tricked into interacting with the attackers, unaware they're being targeted.

Malware delivery via Telegram bots or messages

Telegram bots and direct messages are commonly used to deliver malware disguised as fake job listings, business files, or legitimate links. These links or attachments often appear to come from trustworthy sources but lead to malicious sites or harmful files.

Once clicked, these suspicious links can install malware on the victim's device, steal sensitive information, or give attackers remote access to business networks.

Sale of stealer logs and internal credentials

Cybercriminals can also use Telegram as a marketplace to sell stolen corporate credentials. After malware is deployed to harvest internal credentials from infected devices, the attackers may sell these stealer logs in Telegram groups.

All this allows them to monetize stolen data, which can lead to further attacks or even data breaches. Businesses may find themselves at risk of severe financial loss if these credentials are misused.

Phishing campaigns using cloned business pages

Phishing campaigns through Telegram often involve creating cloned business pages that mimic legitimate brands or login portals. These fake pages are designed to deceive Telegram users into entering their login credentials, which are then harvested by cybercriminals.

The cloned pages may appear nearly identical to the real sites, making it difficult for victims to distinguish them from the official ones. These phishing domains pose a significant threat to personal information because unsuspecting users may share their credentials, putting both personal and business data at risk.

How do you detect scams on Telegram?

Detecting scams on Telegram can be quite challenging, but there are key red flags to look out for:

1. Suspicious usernames or profiles. Don't trust Telegram accounts that have suspicious usernames, seem unusual or incomplete, or look similar to well-known brands or individuals yet somehow feel off.
2. Unsolicited messages or offers. If you receive unexpected messages or offers that sound too good to be true (think investment opportunities or outrageous job offers), be cautious.
3. Links to unknown websites. Scammers often send links to phishing domains or suspicious fake websites. Always verify the URL before clicking on any link.
4. Requests for personal information or credentials. Legitimate businesses will never ask for sensitive personal information via Telegram. Be suspicious of any request for credentials or financial details.
5. Unusual activity in channels or groups. If you're part of a Telegram group and notice strange behavior, such as unrequested promotional messages or suspicious file sharing, it could be a sign of a scam.

By staying alert and educating your team about these warning signs, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to Telegram bot scams.

What do you do if you get scammed on Telegram?

If you got scammed on Telegram, taking quick action is important to minimize the damage. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Disconnect from the scammer. Immediately block and report the suspicious account to Telegram. Doing so will help prevent further interaction.
2. Change your passwords. If you have shared login credentials or financial information, change your passwords right away. Consider using a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each account.
3. Alert your team or organization. If the scam targets your business, inform your colleagues or employees about the breach. Taking this step will help prevent further incidents and ensure everyone is aware of the risk.
4. Monitor your accounts and financial transactions. Regularly check your accounts for any unusual activity or unauthorized transactions to prevent scammers from taking advantage of your bank account logins and other data. If needed, contact your bank or financial institution to flag any suspicious behavior.
5. Report the scam. Reporting the incident to Telegram can help prevent future scams and protect other users. Additionally, you may want to file a report with local authorities or cybersecurity organizations if sensitive data is compromised.

Taking these steps quickly can help you regain control and minimize the long-term impact of a Telegram app scam.

How to prevent common Telegram scams?

Preventing scammers on Telegram from taking advantage of your most sensitive information requires a proactive approach combining a set of tactics — from employee awareness and technical safeguards to ongoing monitoring. By implementing these strategies, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to scams.

Train employees

Educating your team is one of the most effective ways to prevent Telegram scams. Train employees to recognize suspicious Telegram profiles, messages, and scam links. Encourage them to verify the authenticity of any unexpected requests, especially if they involve sensitive information, financial transactions, or clicking on links.

Regular phishing awareness training can help teams stay alert to increasingly smarter scam tactics and avoid falling for common social engineering attacks. This type of training also mitigates the risk of account takeover, which can later result in identity theft.

Monitor Telegram for brand and credential abuse

Use threat exposure management solutions to regularly scan Telegram for any misuse of your company's name or employee credentials. Scammers often impersonate businesses or use stolen data to trick victims. By monitoring for brand abuse or suspicious activity on fake Telegram channels, you can identify threats before they escalate. Solutions like data breach monitoring can help catch these issues early and protect your reputation. Don't forget to monitor the Telegram dark web for any leaked data that may be sold to malicious actors, exposing your organization to even greater risk.

Secure accounts with MFA and password managers

Implement two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all accounts, especially those tied to sensitive business data. Ensuring this step adds an extra layer of security if credentials are stolen or leaked via Telegram channels.

Additionally, encourage employees to use password managers to generate strong, unique passwords for each account. Doing so helps limit the potential damage if an account is compromised, particularly when dealing with threat exposure, account takeover, or even identity theft incidents.

Regularly monitor the dark web and stealer logs

Monitor the dark web and stealer log databases for any signs of compromised credentials. Telegram scammers often sell stolen credentials in Telegram groups, which could be used to launch attacks against your organization.

By staying ahead of these threats, you can take action before exposed data is used in phishing campaigns or other malicious activities. Keeping an eye on threat exposure ensures you stay one step ahead in protecting your personal information.

Use NordStellar to monitor Telegram-based threats

NordStellar is an excellent platform for monitoring Telegram-based threats. It detects various domain manipulations and provides real-time dark web and data breach monitoring. With NordStellar, you can monitor potential threats, including credential abuse, before they cause significant damage to your business. The platform provides actionable alerts and detailed reports to help security teams respond quickly and reduce potential damage from Telegram scams.