The most common Telegram scams
Fake crypto investment channels
Channels mimicking legitimate companies display fake gains via "trading bots". No guaranteed return actually exists.
Pig-butchering
A trusted relationship builds over several weeks, then you're pushed toward a fraudulent crypto platform. Withdrawal is always blocked afterward.
Malware via fake wallets
Fake crypto wallets or "clipboard hijackers" intercept your transactions. Distribution of this type of malware on Telegram exploded in late 2024/early 2025.
Fake support / fake admin
A message impersonating Telegram support or a group administrator asks for your credentials or a verification code.
How to spot a Telegram scam
- Guaranteed return: no legitimate investment guarantees a gain.
- Urgency to deposit funds: "the offer expires in a few hours".
- A relationship that shifts toward crypto after weeks of conversation.
- Withdrawal impossible without paying new "fees" — near-certain sign of a scam.
- Link to a fake wallet or an unofficial wallet app.
What to do if you're targeted
- Never deposit funds on a platform discovered via a Telegram channel or contact.
- Verify the identity of any "support" or "admin" through a separate official channel.
- Report via the app's built-in button, or the official @notoscam bot.
- For a serious case, contact abuse@telegram.org.
How Egidio protects you
Egidio detects scam signals across more than 180 apps — including Telegram — on top of calls and SMS, and warns you before you open the trap.
Where others rely on a list of known numbers, Egidio detects the scam itself — even from a channel or contact it has never seen before.
100% on your phone. Egidio analyzes notifications locally: it doesn't store your conversations and sends nothing to a server. No ads, no account.
Download Egidio Call and SMS blocking are free · messaging protection is PremiumFrequently asked questions
How do I spot a Telegram scam?
Be wary of investment channels promising guaranteed returns, fake trading bots, and any relationship that quickly pushes toward a crypto "opportunity".
What is pig-butchering on Telegram?
A trusted relationship builds over weeks before you're offered an investment on a fake crypto platform. The gains are fictional, withdrawal is always blocked.
How do I report a scam on Telegram?
Use the app's built-in "Report" button, or the official @notoscam bot. You can also email abuse@telegram.org.
Does Egidio read my Telegram messages?
No. Egidio analyzes notifications on your phone to detect scam signals. It doesn't store your conversations and sends nothing to a server.
Is Egidio free?
Call and SMS blocking are free, forever. Messaging protection and Family mode are included in the Premium version.