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How BSC Traders Get Scammed on Telegram (and How to Stop It)

Most Telegram losses are social engineering. Use this BSC-focused checklist to harden settings, avoid drainers, and reduce bot risk.

How BSC Traders Get Scammed on Telegram (and How to Stop It)

How BSC Traders Get Scammed on Telegram (and How to Stop It)

Telegram is useful for trading. It is also one of the fastest ways to get drained.

Quick summary: Most Telegram losses come from social engineering, not smart contract bugs. If you hide your number, block random group adds, ignore inbound “support” DMs, and treat bots like hot wallets, you eliminate the highest-probability mistakes.

In this article:

Why Telegram Is High Risk for Traders

Telegram is where new tokens, bot updates, and community signals often appear first. It is also a low-friction attack surface. The moment you post in a public group, you become a target for scripts, impersonators, and rushed decision-making.

You do not need to avoid Telegram. You do need to assume every inbound DM is hostile until proven otherwise.

If you are new to trading on BSC, start with the basics in Getting started with BSC trading and review your tooling choices in Choosing the right trading bot.

Lock It Down: Essential Privacy Settings

Telegram defaults are too open for crypto. Open Settings > Privacy and Security and change these first.

1. Phone Number: Nobody

  • Who can see my phone number? → Nobody
  • Who can find me by my number? → My Contacts

This reduces SIM-swap targeting and off-platform harassment.

2. Groups & Channels: My Contacts (Critical)

  • Who can add me to group chats? → My Contacts

This blocks most “you were added to a pump group” spam.

3. Last Seen & Online: Nobody (Recommended)

  • Who can see my Last Seen time? → Nobody

Presence signals make you easier to time and pressure.

4. Setup Two-Step Verification (2FA)

  • Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification → On

This adds a cloud password. An SMS code alone should never be enough to take your account.

The “Hello Mate” Test: Spotting Fakes

You ask a question in a public group. You immediately get DMs offering “support.” Treat all of them as scams.

The Golden Rule of Telegram Support

Admins will NEVER DM you first.

If you need support, navigate to it yourself:

  1. Open the group’s profile (tap the header).
  2. Go to Members.
  3. Find a user with the admin tag.
  4. Open that profile and start the chat yourself.

Fast Filters for Fake Profiles

Scammers clone photos, bios, and even pinned messages. Use simple filters:

  • The username is close, but not exact.
  • “Official Support” appears in the bio, not the username.
  • You are asked to “verify,” “sync,” or “rectify” your wallet.
  • The message creates urgency around loss prevention.

Bot Risk Management: Practical Rules

Bots can improve execution speed. They also add wallet, routing, and interface risk. Treat every bot wallet as a hot wallet and every feature as optional until proven safe for your workflow.

1. Separate Wallets by Function

  • Use one wallet for bot trading and a different wallet for long-term holdings.
  • Move only the amount you are willing to lose into bot-controlled or bot-generated wallets.
  • Revoke approvals regularly on the wallet you trade from.

Drainer bots often pose as “airdrop checkers,” “validators,” or “captcha gates.” The payload is usually a website.

  • Do not connect your main wallet to a site you reached from a DM.
  • Do not sign messages you do not fully understand.
  • If you are going to explore, do it from a disposable wallet with minimal funds.

3. Treat Advanced Protection Claims as Self-Reported

Many bots advertise private routing, anti-MEV, or sandwich protection. These claims are often self-reported and may vary by route, chain, and market conditions. Use the mental model from MEV protection explained and verify what you can in practice.

4. Token Risk Still Dominates Execution Risk

Even perfect execution will not save you from bad tokens. Run basic checks before you trade:

Social Engineering Patterns That Still Work

Most Telegram attacks follow a small set of scripts. Name them, and they lose power.

The “Friend in Need”

You get a casual request from a friend to test something or click a link.

  • What it usually means: their account is compromised.
  • What to do instead: verify on a different channel first.

The “Accidental” Code

You receive a Telegram login code, followed by a message asking you to share it.

  • What it usually means: someone is trying to take your account.
  • What to do instead: never share login codes. Not with friends. Not with “support.”

The 2-Minute Security Audit

Run this checklist before your next trade:

  1. 2FA Enabled? Set a cloud password.
  2. Phone Number Hidden? Set to “Nobody”.
  3. Group Adds blocked? Set to “My Contacts”.
  4. Active Sessions Checked? Go to Settings > Devices. Terminate anything you do not recognize, then rotate your 2FA password.

Telegram can be part of a safe workflow. Just do not confuse familiarity with safety.

Related Reading:

#Security#Telegram#guides#Social Engineering