Is Telegram Used for Romance Scams?

Despite your phone offering messaging capabilities and easy access to emails, there are several alternative communication options available today. Social media platforms all provide their own means of direct messaging while some companies have created a dedicated messaging app of their own. 

A messaging platform that is not a default method of communication on your phone offers a way of communicating in a private setting or without a data connection. Messaging apps can allow for easier cross-platform communication. 

You may have noticed the limitations if you’ve ever attempted cross-communication between an iPhone and Android. Texts and calls can happen just fine, but video calls or even sharing audio files, images, or videos can be tricky. A messaging app acts as a middle ground for devices so even a computer can be used to communicate with someone using a phone.

A messaging app can be a great way for immediate communication that doesn’t require email formats and is able to happen between devices. But it may also offer a path to scams. 

Let’s take a look at what Telegram is and whether it can be used for romance scams. 

What Is Telegram?

Telegram is a messaging app that uses cloud-based technology for its communications. In fact, it’s quickly becoming one of the largest messaging apps. 

Telegram provides quick and secure end-to-end encryption on its messaging. On paper, it’s an ideal way to keep in touch and manage conversations in a way that your phone or computer’s default apps cannot. It even gives WhatsApp a run for its money.

The Telegram app syncs your conversations across each device, so your experience is the same everywhere. It makes sharing files easy and convenient; it allows you to send and receive almost anything. 

What Are Romance Scams?

Romance scams typically focus on vulnerable people and aim to create emotional attachments. They are becoming increasingly common with the increased use of social media and the prevalence of dating apps. A scammer uses catfishing techniques to imitate a real person. The scammer then attempts to convince their victim to engage in activities that could be held as ransom against them. 

A romance scam becomes a blend of catfishing and blackmail because of these two elements coming together. A scammer can use sexual material provided by their victim to request payment to prevent their release. The threat may be to send the material to the victim’s family members, friends, or even coworkers.

The ultimate goal of any scam, including a romance scam, is to get money. While not every romance scam needs to have the element of ransom, every scammer is looking to get paid. 

A scammer could pretend to be someone else, foster a relationship, and then ask for money. That type of romance scam would be more commonly associated with a catfish.

What Are Some Common Telegram Scams?

Scammers gravitate toward apps and communication methods that give them added layers of anonymity or protection. An app like Telegram is appealing because it allows users to hide their true identities, use the identities of others, and fortify their accounts with other fake information. 

Messaging apps also allow users to pretend to be in your country by not needing to use a local number for texting. The main romance scams used in Telegram involve either a ransom or a cryptocurrency wallet. 

Let’s take a look at the most common scams:

Telegram Ransom Scam

A scammer will connect with a victim, possibly in a dating app, where they’ll request to take the conversation to Telegram. Alternatively, the scammer may send a random request to talk on Telegram if they have found information about their victim beforehand. 

Once the Telegram communication is initiated, they will pursue a romantic relationship by sending flattering messages and possibly providing sexual material of some sort, claiming that it’s of them. They will coerce their victim into providing their own material so the perpetrator can screenshot or screen record the acts. 

With material in hand, scammers may make demands, unveiling themselves as fake telegram accounts. They will request you send them money to prevent them from sending what they’ve gathered to your friends or family. Scammers may ask for login credentials or financial information to get your money.

Telegram Crypto Scam

Some scammers will opt to maintain fake accounts by impersonating a person without revealing their true intentions. They will ask for money, gift cards, or other harder-to-trace methods of payment. 

Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin is an easy way for fraudsters to get money without raising suspicions. If they’ve engaged in a romantic relationship, they’ll use that as leverage to get you to help them out of tough financial situations.

The crypto scam may even include them asking you to deposit money into a fake crypto wallet or bank account. This method aims to invest the money so the victim can make interest on the money that shows large gains each day. In reality, the account belongs to them and the site is controlled by them.

How Can I Avoid Telegram Scams?

The best way to avoid Telegram scams is to avoid conversations with people you don’t know. Confirm the identity of the person you’re communicating with by meeting them in person. If it’s someone you already know but want to make sure they’re who they say they are, ask them questions only they know. 

One of the most important steps is not to share sensitive information with a stranger. Any information you don’t want the general public to know is information you should not share with a stranger. Don’t send money or sensitive images, videos, or text to someone you don’t know or trust. 

There are a few ways to verify the identity of the person you’re talking to on Telegram:

• Check for discrepancies across the user’s profile. This can be done by reverse-searching the profile picture and confirming that the display name of the user and username match. If you get a hit on the image by reverse-searching, you can confirm profiles of that name match the name on Telegram.

• Look at contact details to confirm the identity of the person in the profile. If the user has provided details such as phone number or email, verify them to ensure their authenticity and that they’re related to the user. Their profile should be well filled out and free of grammatical errors that an English speaker would not make.

Some best practice tips are to not click on suspicious links, especially if they’re from an unknown person or if you suspect the user of being a fake. Set your security or privacy settings to ones that limit the amount of information another user can see. Requests to send money or crypto can be big red flags and you should cease communication with that person immediately.

What Can I Do if I’m a Victim of a Telegram Romance Scam?

A successful Telegram romance scam can feel like a situation that is no longer in the victim’s control. The fraudsters have successfully taken money or are demanding money because they’ve received information they can use as blackmail against their victim. It may feel like there are no more options because the scammer was successful. 

Digital Forensics can help you take control of a situation even if the scammers have taken money. We have experienced forensics engineers, social engineering experts, and lawyers specializing in cybercrime. 

We take cybersecurity seriously and have a proven track record of tracking down and removing threats. With our 24/7 support helpline, we can help you regain control of your life so you don’t have to live in fear.

If you or someone you know is dealing with a romance scam issue, we can help. It’s important to take some immediate steps by documenting the situation. Get records of everything that has transpired by taking screenshots or recordings of what has transpired. 

Write down your account of the events as they happened and any sensitive information that was sent. If money has been sent, you’ll want to contact bank accounts to let them know your account may have been compromised. It’s always a good idea to enable two-factor authentication, especially if you’ve dealt with a scammer. 

When it comes to the scammer themselves, do not initiate any further contact or do whatever you can to buy yourself time. If necessary you can block the user after you’ve taken detailed records of the issue. 

Digital Forensics can then step in to ensure that your personal data is secure. Your privacy and security are our main priority and together we can help fix a scary situation.

Sources:

Most popular global mobile messenger apps as of April 2024, based on number of monthly active users | Statista

Stay Safe Online: Avoid Romance Scams | United States Secret Service

Mobile Payment Apps: How To Avoid a Scam When You Use One | Federal Trade Commission

Search with an image on Google | Google