The State Duma identified signs of fraud when purchasing Telegram channels.

      March 23, 2026 13:25 Incidents In Russia, there is a rise in cases of fraud related to the sale of Telegram channels. Fraudsters offer potential buyers "profitable deals," convincing them to transfer money in advance, after which they cut off communication and do not transfer administrative rights. As specialists note, fraudsters actively use psychological pressure and manipulation. They promise a "live audience" and quick returns, try to build trust through informal communication, and also refuse to transfer rights first. Often, the perpetrators ask to "put themselves in the seller's shoes," shift the conversation to personal topics, or suggest sending money to third-party accounts. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications, stated that such schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. "Fraudsters actively exploit user trust and play on the desire to earn quickly. The purchase of Telegram channels is one of the gray areas of the digital economy, where there are no clear guarantees and transaction protection mechanisms," he noted. According to the parliamentarian, any attempts by the seller to evade a transparent transfer of administrative rights should be seen as a serious risk signal. He emphasized that phrases such as "I can't transfer rights first," "let's trust each other," as well as requests to send money to someone else's accounts are direct signs of fraud. "In such cases, the only right decision is to immediately cease communication," the politician stressed. He also pointed out that fraudsters are increasingly using elements of social engineering, trying to establish personal contact with potential victims and reduce critical perception of the situation. For the safety of citizens, it is recommended not to transfer money until the actual transfer of administrative rights, to avoid transactions outside official platforms and without guarantees, to check the channel's history and audience, as well as to ignore offers with suspiciously favorable conditions and to cease communication at the first signs of manipulation. "Digital literacy today is not just a skill, but a necessary condition for safety. The sooner a person recognizes the signs of deception, the less chance fraudsters have to implement their scheme," concluded the deputy. Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs warned that fraudsters have started using a callback scheme to steal money. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+