Telegram's founder Durov proposes that I personally take action against fraudsters within Telegram, however, there's a catch to it
In recent times, scammers have been using Telegram, the popular messaging app, as a platform to extort money from users. These scammers have turned this into a business by posting compromising messages and charging for their removal. Pavel Durov, the creator of Telegram, has addressed this issue and provided a solution for users to report blackmail attempts.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to report blackmail attempts on Telegram:
- Preserve Evidence: Save all relevant messages, screenshots, chat logs, profile information, and any other evidence of the blackmail attempt to support your case.
- Stop All Contact: Do not respond to the blackmailer or comply with their demands, as paying or cooperating often worsens the situation.
- Report to Telegram Support: Use Telegram’s in-app “Complain” or “Report” feature to notify Telegram about the abusive or blackmailing account.
- Contact Telegram Support Team for Blackmail-Specific Cases: For blackmail issues, Telegram has a dedicated support team you can reach on Telegram at @notoscam. When reporting, include the hashtag related to blackmail attempts as instructed by Telegram’s official advisory.
- Reach Out to Pavel Durov: While Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, does not respond directly due to message volume, he encourages victims to contact the Telegram support team at @notoscam. You may find messages from him addressing blackmail risks on his Telegram channel (@durov).
- Enhance Your Account Security: Change your Telegram password, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and review any connected devices or sessions to secure your account against unauthorized access.
- Consider Law Enforcement and Legal Help: If the situation escalates, report the incident to your local cybercrime law enforcement agency and consider consulting a legal expert experienced in online extortion.
Pavel Durov has emphasized the importance of removing scammers from the Telegram platform to keep it safe for all users. He has also reported that scammers are blackmailing users to obtain valuable collectibles within the Telegram messaging app. These collectibles, which include rare gifts and unique usernames, were initially sold for a few dollars but now sell for hundreds of thousands.
It's crucial to remember that paying the scammers only encourages them to continue their activities. By reporting each instance of scammers contacting you with evidence, you can help Telegram take action against these individuals and protect other users from falling victim to their schemes.
- Besides reporting blackmail attempts on Telegram, it's vital to stay vigilant about social-media activities, as scammers are also targeting users to obtain valuable collectibles sold within the Telegram platform, such as rare gifts and unique usernames that now sell for hundreds of thousands.
- With the rise of crime-and-justice incidents occurring on platforms like Telegram, general-news outlets have begun reporting on these cases, highlighting the increasing use of technology for illegal activities and the need for users to enhance their account security.
- To prevent being exploited by scammers and ensure a safer environment on social media, it's essential to follow best practices, like preserving evidence, stopping all contact with the blackmailer, reporting to Telegram support, and seeking help from law enforcement or legal experts if necessary.
