Buzz
With the online community buzzing about Telegram lately, many are left wondering: What is Telegram? Join us in exploring this article to uncover whether Telegram is a genuine platform or potentially deceptive!
1. Unraveling the Mystery of Telegram
Telegram is recognized as a cross-platform messaging application (available on phones, computers, and web browsers) developed by Pavel Durov. It boasts a global presence, serving as a messaging, voice, and video calling app across various platforms, much like Zalo, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or any other messaging app. However, Telegram stands out with its unique features that inject excitement into conversations like never before.
Telegram boasts various distinctive features, among them are:
- Creating groups with the largest member count globally.
- End-to-end encryption for enhanced message security across all users.
- Support for sending large files with fast upload and download speeds (a key reason for Telegram's popularity in group collaboration).
- Direct integration of Chatbots within the application, enabling feature-rich chat channels.
- Self-destructing messages mode, allowing scheduled message deletion and various other functionalities.
- Support for creating schedules with built-in planning features.
- Unlimited size image and video file sharing without compression or quality loss.
- Capability to create group channels for seamless interaction among members.
In Vietnam, Telegram is relatively less popular due to a lower user base. However, globally, it stands out as the leading messaging tool with the most stable user count. Alongside its worldwide fame, Telegram has gained notoriety, especially for its involvement in scams.
2. Is Telegram involved in scams?
In reality, Telegram is merely a straightforward messaging app, and there is no reason for a simple messaging app to turn into a scam tool. Simply put, Telegram is similar to Zalo, Messenger, Skype, and others. To claim that Telegram is a scam is incorrect and entirely inaccurate.
However, in the true sense of 'Scams on Telegram,' we must acknowledge that some malevolent individuals exploit the Telegram platform to take advantage of or exploit others. When developing Telegram, its creators had no intention of turning their tool into a scam product. Unfortunately, they fell victim to many unscrupulous users who accessed and utilized Telegram as an intermediary platform to carry out deceptive activities. In simple terms, users on Telegram may include individuals with fraudulent intentions, but the Telegram messaging app itself is not guilty! The utility or beauty of any tool depends on how it is used!
3. Common Scam Techniques on Telegram
Telegram provides numerous tools that can be exploited for scam techniques. One key factor that attracts scammers to Telegram is the ability to create groups with an enormous number of members. While platforms like Zalo limit group creation to a maximum of 1000 members, Telegram allows groups with up to 6 digits. Thus, by gathering enough people in a Telegram group, scammers can significantly enhance the effectiveness of their deceptive activities.
Additionally, Telegram supports simultaneous sharing of images, videos, and documents, enabling scammers to provide more information, enhance credibility, and easily engage in malicious activities with unsuspecting individuals.
3.1 Scam Calls for Investment in Virtual Projects, Forex, Commodities
On Telegram, there are thousands of groups related to virtual projects, forex investments (with unclear information about platforms), commodity investments, getting rich with candlestick kings, candle-blowing queens, and more. Users are gradually recognizing these fraudulent schemes, and some projects lead users to lose everything without receiving any funds back.
Occasionally, you might receive calls with content like: 'Hello sir/ma'am, I'm a commodity investment advisor, guaranteeing profits and interest rates. I'll add you to a Telegram group for convenient consultation!' This is a clear sign of a scam. Typically, these individuals will invite you to a group, ask you to create an account on a specific platform, and initiate investments. Everything would be fine if the investment platform were reputable. However, they will prompt you to create an account and invest on a virtual platform they control. Thus, it means that whenever they decide to lock your funds, they can do so.
In reality, investing in forex, commodities, and stocks is not a scam. However, investments should be conducted on reputable, globally renowned platforms with clear headquarters and established corporations. If you truly want to invest in commodities or forex, opt for platforms like Binance, MiTrade, Exness, IC Markets, FXTM, XM,... When venturing into investments or any money-making activities, it's crucial to equip yourself with knowledge. If you feel uncertain about the best investment options, it's better not to proceed!
3.2 E-commerce Order Placement Scam (Shopee, Lazada, Tiki)
In the years 2022-2023, a completely new form of scam called “Order Placement” is emerging throughout Vietnam. These Telegram groups operate in conjunction with a website platform, offering orders from Shopee, Lazada, Tiki, etc., and seek people to place orders. For each order placed, users receive a certain commission (typically 20-30% of the total order value), meaning the larger the order, the more money earned. However, the question here is, “Where do you get the money to place orders?” – Of course, you have to deposit it, nowhere else!
When you start, they will only assign you low-value orders ranging from 100-200k, with commissions stopping at a few tens of thousands. After each order, they will make payments and assist you in withdrawing money to your bank card to build absolute trust. After gaining trust, you'll receive larger orders worth millions, with commissions reaching a few million dong. Subsequently, you'll encounter orders worth hundreds of millions, at which point you can only deposit money to place orders; there's no way to withdraw anything.
However, wrongdoers won't let you off the hook that easily. The platform will claim that the order placement process you followed was incorrect (In reality, the system deliberately changes things to make you wrong, no matter how careful you are. Because they control the system, altering transfer characters or order codes is a minor issue). When the placed order is incorrect, you'll lose money in the system and need to deposit more to reorder it, aiming to recover the held amount. The emotions of those deceived at this point revolve around the desire to find ways to reclaim the money. Hearing the phrase 'Recovering money from wrongly placed orders,' everyone wants to and deposits without thinking. However, the more you deposit, the more you lose. Remember, letting go is the best course of action when you fall victim to a scam!
3.3 Gift Account Creation Scam
The methods of receiving free gifts on Telegram are endless. However, they all operate under the premise 'You are receiving a free gift from..., please fill in the form to claim.' However, once you fill it out, you'll receive an OTP code, and few realize that this OTP code is for bank accounts. When wrongdoers have your bank account information + OTP code, your money will inevitably disappear. So, remember, there's no gift falling from the sky in this world!
3.4 Scam Involving High-Value Game Assets: Pet Raising, Planting, and Items
In 2023, game projects on Telegram gained immense popularity, with some individuals earning millions from these games. Simply put, these are straightforward games that anyone, regardless of age, can play. The games feature items, crops, pets, or anything valuable that can be converted into real money. Players buy, sell, and trade these items to make a profit.
However, the twist lies in the fact that these items are all inflated by the 'house,' with prices soaring over time. Enthusiasts rush to buy and sell these items, but at some point, the value of these items drops to zero. This means the money you invested in buying those items is gone, and you can only admire the items for the rest of your life without getting any more money in return.
3.5 Scam involving payment of electricity/water bills, fines, penalties, taxes, etc.
Recently, many people have been receiving continuous calls with content like, 'You have an unpaid amount; contact us immediately for payment before facing legal consequences.' However, those bills are virtual, not real invoices!
Fraudsters acquire your personal information online and create virtual fine notices, aiming to exploit those who are gullible. If you're easily fooled, you'll likely pay the fine to avoid trouble. However, in these Telegram cases, paying or not doesn't matter; it only fattens the pockets of scammers.
4. Strategies to prevent fraud on Telegram
All common Telegram scam tactics have been thoroughly introduced in the article. By carefully reading, you can understand the tricks of scammers and devise specific countermeasures. Additionally, Telegram scam techniques are evolving, becoming more sophisticated and complex. Equip yourself with enough knowledge to avoid falling victim to scams in the future. Mytour will share some of the most common internet fraud prevention experiences with you.
- Stay updated on common online fraud schemes by regularly reading news.
- Avoid investing or transferring money into activities you genuinely don't understand. Taking financial actions requires responsibility.
- Don't believe promises, commitments, interest rates, or refunds online. If they could keep their promises, they would have made their families rich, not seek strangers like you.
- Check the sender's identity before responding to messages or adding friends. It's best not to add unfamiliar people to avoid sleepless nights.
- Absolutely do not share information such as ID cards, bank accounts, OTP codes, or any other information with strangers.
- Avoid groups that excessively promote or praise, as they are likely full of their people.
- Avoid clicking on unverified links on Telegram.
- Limit conversations with strangers and participation in money-making groups on Telegram.
In this article, Software Tips has shared insights about the Telegram app and how to prevent online scams. Wishing you a joyful day!
