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With the advent of convenient messengers, communication has become quick and accessible. However, alongside the rise in popularity, the number of scam attempts through these platforms has also increased. The ease of registration, lack of strict moderation, and the possibility of anonymous communication make such services an ideal tool in the hands of malefactors. Scammers in messengers operate in an organized manner, using various methods to influence users.
Particular attention is given to platforms with a wide audience. Therefore, WhatsApp scams and Telegram scams are the most common and successful fraud schemes. Victims can include not only gullible users but also those who are knowledgeable in digital security.
How Malefactors Disguise Themselves as Legal Services
One of the main features of modern scammers is the imitation of official channels and services. Through messengers, messages are often sent out, formatted as notifications from banks, marketplaces, or even government agencies. Fake logos, official wording, and business correspondence style are used.
Malefactors create fake support accounts, through which they send instructions supposedly for restoring access, verifying identity, or canceling an erroneous transaction. The correspondence may include terms that real services usually use. The main goal is to gain trust and convince the user to perform the required actions.
To avoid becoming a victim of such schemes, it is necessary to distinguish genuine notifications from fake ones. First of all, pay attention to the method of communication. Most organizations do not correspond with clients through messengers without a prior request. Moreover, official notifications never contain requests to provide passwords, access codes, or transfer funds.
How Scammers Operate in Closed Groups
Besides mass mailing, there are cases where fraudulent actions are carried out in thematic channels and chats. This is especially common in Telegram, where mandatory identification is absent, and administrators can quickly delete complaints and block inconvenient users.
In such groups, information is spread about “secret ways to earn money,” “quick investments,” and “private financial channels.” Initially, an illusion of activity is created. Screenshots of money transfers, gratitude, and fake reviews are published. Then, an invitation to join a closed community or pay for participation is made.
Telegram scams in such groups are often accompanied by pressure from limited-time access, “only today” promotions, and promises of payouts “within an hour.” Users, succumbing to manipulation, transfer money and receive nothing in return. It is important to remember that legitimate financial projects do not seek clients in anonymous channels.
Vulnerabilities in Security Settings
Scams in messengers are often associated not with specific deception but with vulnerabilities in account settings. Access to information can be obtained not only through correspondence but also by guessing codes, capturing active sessions, or using phishing. The main security setting mistakes are:
- lack of two-factor authentication;
- an open profile displaying personal data;
- using outdated versions of the app;
- allowing installation of files from unknown sources;
- lack of control over active sessions.
Even partially addressing these vulnerabilities significantly reduces the risk of account capture by criminals. For reliable account protection and secure correspondence, it is recommended to periodically check these parameters and ensure they comply with cybersecurity rules.
What to Pay Special Attention To
The security of correspondence depends not only on technical settings but also on the ability to recognize suspicious behavior in a conversation partner. Before taking actions related to finances or data transfer, it is important to analyze the message content. Even if it came from a familiar contact, it is necessary to check whether the account was hacked.
One of the warning signs is unexpected messages requesting to lend money, help, or provide confidential information. You should also be cautious if the message contains a link with an unfamiliar or strange address. Such links often lead to phishing sites where data is collected for theft.
An additional reason for doubt is spelling and punctuation errors in the text, especially if the sender claims to be an employee of an official organization. Often, scammers use urgencies to make decisions quickly — confirm a payment, go through authorization, make a prepayment. There may also be a request not to tell anyone about the correspondence. This is a way to exclude information verification.
If any of these signs are noticed in a conversation, it is better not to engage in dialogue and immediately block the contact. It is advisable to save screenshots of the correspondence. They may be useful when filing a complaint or contacting law enforcement agencies.