InfoHub Logo

Kazakhstan's Prosecutor General's Office is urging citizens to be vigilant against a new wave of scams targeting Telegram accounts. Criminals are employing sophisticated tactics to trick users into handing over their account access.

The Deceptive Message

Reports indicate that scammers are sending fake messages impersonating Telegram's official support service. These messages falsely claim that a request to delete the user's account has been received. To prevent this supposed deletion, users are instructed to click a special link.

Exploiting Fear and Urgency

A key element of this scam is the psychological pressure applied by the fraudsters. They often impose a strict deadline, typically 24 hours, to act, threatening that the account, along with all messages, files, and contacts, will be permanently lost if no action is taken. This tactic preys on users' fear of losing their digital identity and data.

The Trap Revealed

Clicking the provided link directs users to a fraudulent Telegram bot or a fake website. Here, they are prompted to enter a confirmation code received via SMS or another messenger. However, there is no legitimate procedure within Telegram that requires such a code to prevent account deletion. By entering the code, users inadvertently grant scammers direct access to their accounts.

Official Warning and Protection Measures

The Prosecutor General's Office emphasized that Telegram's official support team will never request confirmation codes, passwords, or any other login credentials. Once scammers gain access, they can read messages, steal personal data, send messages on behalf of the victim, request money transfers, and engage in other criminal activities.

Authorities advise users to remain calm and not succumb to the pressure of fear and urgency. A few minutes of careful verification can prevent the loss of an account and sensitive personal information.