Alert! Experts Find Toncoin Scams Targeting Telegram Users

JAKARTA - Kaspersky researchers discovered a fraudulent scheme trying to steal Toncoin (TON) from Telegram users around the world, which has been going on since November 2023.

The global cybersecurity company said that threat actors captivate Telegram users via links to participate in someone's exclusive income program'' on their contact list.

First, they started encouraging victims to join the unofficial Telegram bot, which is said to be designed to store crypto assets, and connect them to legitimate wallets.

At the same time, fraudsters will instruct potential victims to buy Toncoin through official channels such as official Telegram bots, P2P markets, or crypto asset exchanges, which may make them feel safe.

Selanjutnya, korban diminta untuk melakukan pembelian booster menggunakan bot terpisah untuk mulai mendapatkan penghasilan. Setelah pembelian, pengguna kehilangan aset kriptonya dan tidak dapat ditarik kembali.

Boosters are advertised by scammers as a tool that allows users to earn from their coins, explained Olga Svistunova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.

Olga also added that this scheme is similar to a booster in online games. Where by buying it, users will get additional benefits.

After luring users to buy fake boosters, scammers will ask the victim to create a private Telegram group with friends and acquaintances, share with them a reference link that has been made specifically and video with his instructions.

The perpetrator claims that at least five people must join a personal group through a referral link so that the victim can start earning income.

The referral program is a key component of this scheme. The more people involved, the higher the income of the fraudsters," Olga concluded.