Telegram could be trading your data, finds a recent report. According to a report by the United Nations, a team of fraudsters is using Telegram to commit crimes. The criminal network is based in Southeast Asia. Telegram is being executed to a large scale for trading users personal data.
The report suggests that the crime team is taking advantage of Telegram’s ‘easy to hack’ moderation. Here’s how Telegram is being used for fraudulent activities.
Telegram stealing your data
Telegram data is being used for initiating money laundering activities. So, how is the crime being executed? Here’s how your data is secretly being used for fraudulent activities. Your data is being traded by the criminal team. The report from the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) highlights that Telegram channels have become a hub for illegal transactions. Stolen credit card details, browser histories, passwords and malware made to steal data are openly traded on the platform.
The researchers further state that “UNODC officers move 3 million USDT stolen from overseas per day.”Cybercriminals are also using deepfakes with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). They are using deepfakes to create fake accounts pretending to be your known person. Also with AI it’s getting more realistic. The cybercriminals are then selling your data on the dark web.
However, this is not the first time that Telegram has been used for fraudulent activities. Recently in August, Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder was arrested in France. He was harged with allowing the platform to be used for criminal activities. This also include sharing of child sexual abuse images on the platform.
How to stay safe
Southeast Asia, especially Chinese syndicates, have become a hotspot for fraud operations, as reported by a UNODC report, cited by Reuters. This team generates around $27.4 billion to $36.5 billion annually through such online scams. These syndicates often operate by exploiting trafficked workers in fortified compounds to run their schemes.
So, how do you stay safe from these crimes? Given below are some steps which can keep you safe.
- Do not join any unknown group on Telegram. Try avoiding joining an unknown group. These groups may be related to criminal activities.
- Next, do not share your personal details on Telegram. You never know your data might be extracted.
- If you get any suspicious calls or event messages from Telegram, avoid. In case it has any link attached to it, do not open that.
- Lastly, avoid downloading content from suspicious channels in Telegram
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