Telegram Hacks and Digital Vigilance

We invite you to explore a study on methods of compromising Telegram accounts by Nadiyno.org (http://nadiyno.org/), the first non-profit digital security hotline for Ukrainians in Central and Eastern Europe.
Nadiyno.org conducted a large-scale study and created an interactive quiz to help Ukrainians recognize fraudulent schemes.

Why is this important?

Telegram has become the primary target for scammers in 2024. Over 70% of inquiries to the Nadiyno.org hotline last year were related to Telegram account hacks. To change this trend, we researched the most common fraud schemes and prepared practical security recommendations.

According to the study, the key threats on Telegram include::

  • Phishing attacks through fake messages from support services, friends, or familiar channels.
  • Artificial intelligence in the hands of fraudsters — attacks are becoming more personalized and convincing.
  • Phishing Telegram bots and alternative clients with hidden backdoors.
  • Interception of SMS codes — particularly dangerous for journalists and activists.

What has been done?

Based on the research, an interactive test was developed, featuring 10 real and potentially fraudulent Telegram chat examples. The task is to determine whether you are dealing with a scammer. After each answer, you will see an expert breakdown of the scheme.

The library, as a center for ensuring barrier-free access to information in both physical and virtual environments and promoting information literacy, always advocates for digital education and calls on users to remain vigilant and informed on social media!