🛡️ ShieldGuard Learn Security Guide: The Telegram Minefield 

Category: Scam Prevention and Education

Welcome to ShieldGuard Learn. Today, we are exposing the sophisticated new wave of scams targeting crypto users on Telegram. While Telegram is a vital tool for Web3 communities, it has become the single most dangerous platform for investors in 2025.

Scammers have moved beyond simple “send me ETH” messages. They are now using hacked accounts of your real friends, abusing Telegram’s own publishing tools, and creating elaborate “employment” traps. Global losses from crypto investment fraud surged to over $5.7 billion last year alone, with Telegram being a primary vector.

The 5 New Scam Variants Targeting You Right Now

Research from late 2024 and 2025 reveals five specific attack vectors that are currently draining millions from users globally.

1. The “Telegram Premium” Impersonation Attack

This is arguably the most effective social engineering attack currently active.

The Hook: You receive a message from a real friend’s account (which has already been hacked). It says something like, “I’ve sent you a gift — a Telegram Premium subscription for 1 year!” followed by a link.

The Trap: The link leads to a phishing site that mimics the Telegram login page. It asks you to “log in to activate the gift.”

The Outcome: As soon as you enter your credentials, the attacker gains full control of your account. They then use your identity to send the same scam to your entire contact list, while simultaneously searching your saved messages for private keys, seed phrases, or sensitive financial data.

2. The “Prepaid Task” Job Scam

This is a devastating financial trap that combines “employment” with crypto deposits. In Singapore alone, victims lose an average of ~$16,000 USD per case to these scams.

The Hook: You are approached via DM or a job board for a “part-time” role—often “optimizing data,” “boosting app rankings,” or “rating hotels”.

The Trap: You are added to a Telegram group where “tasks” are assigned. To complete a “premium task” and withdraw your earned commissions, you are required to deposit cryptocurrency.

The Outcome: The first small withdrawal works to build trust. Then, the “tasks” require increasingly larger crypto deposits ($1,000, $5,000, etc.). When you try to cash out, your account is “frozen,” and they demand a “tax” or “security fee” to unlock it. You never get your money back.

3. The “Telegraph” Phishing Vector

Scammers are exploiting Telegraph (telegra.ph), Telegram’s legitimate publishing tool, to bypass security filters.

The Hook: You see a post in a group or receive a DM with a link that looks like https://telegra.ph/Official-Airdrop-Rules.... Because the domain is legitimate (owned by Telegram), it is not flagged as spam.

The Trap: The Telegraph page contains professional-looking graphics and a “Click Here to Claim” button. This button redirects you to a malicious external phishing site that drains your wallet.

The Outcome: Users lower their guard because the initial link is from a trusted source, leading to wallet compromise.

4. Deepfake Giveaway & “KYC Bot” Scams

Deepfakes: Scammers use AI-generated videos of trusted figures (like Elon Musk or Brad Garlinghouse) to promote fake giveaways. One deepfake campaign recently collected over $500,000 USD in “entry fees” from victims.

Fake KYC Bots: You are invited to a “new token airdrop” bot. The bot asks you to complete “KYC verification” (Know Your Customer). However, instead of asking for an ID, the bot asks you to link your wallet or deposit a “verification fee” in crypto. This fee goes straight to the scammer.

5. The “Private Investment Group” Illusion

The Hook: You are added to a “VIP” or “Whale” investment group without asking. The group is full of members (bots) posting screenshots of massive profits from “liquidity mining” or a specific “yield farm”.

The Trap: The admin offers you a “special slot” in their investment pool. They direct you to a fraudulent website (e.g., a fake version of a decentralized exchange) where you can deposit USDT.

The Outcome: The dashboard shows fake profits accumulating. When you try to withdraw, the “customer service” demands a 10-20% commission fee to process the transaction, or simply locks your account entirely.

ShieldGuard Protocol: Your Defense Strategy

Telegram is safe only if you treat every interaction as a potential threat. Follow these strict rules to protect your assets:

• The “Gift” Rule: If a friend sends you a “free gift” link, do not click it. Call or text them on a different app (like WhatsApp) to verify. Real Telegram Premium gifts appear directly in the chat interface, not as external links.
• The “Pay-to-Work” Red Flag: NEVER pay money to get a job. If an “employer” asks you to deposit crypto to “unlock” commissions or tasks, it is 100% a scam.
• Inspect Telegraph Links: Be extremely wary of telegra.ph links that redirect you to “Connect Wallet” pages. Always type the official project URL into your browser manually.

Lock Your Privacy: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.

Set “Phone Number” to “Nobody”.   Set “Groups & Channels” to “My Contacts” so strangers cannot add you to fake investment groups.

Two-Step Verification (2FA): Enable 2FA (Cloud Password) in Telegram settings. This prevents a scammer from stealing your account even if they trick you into giving them your login code.

The ShieldGuard Verdict:

Scammers rely on your trust in friends and the Telegram platform itself. By using ShieldGuard Learn to stay updated on these specific tactics, and ShieldGuard Presale Intel to find actual, vetted opportunities, you can navigate the crypto space without becoming a statistic.

Stay vigilant. Trust no links. And let ShieldGuard be your defense.