If you’re involved in crypto, chances are you’ve joined a few Telegram groups to stay updated on the latest projects and investment opportunities. But be careful—these groups can be a goldmine for scammers looking to trick people out of their money. I almost became one of their victims, and I’m writing this to make sure others don’t fall into the same trap.

I was in a group that focused on new DeFi projects, and it seemed like a great place to learn about early investment opportunities. One day, a new member joined the group and claimed to be an insider from a promising DeFi project that was about to launch. He started sharing details about a private pre-sale and offered members of the group an exclusive chance to buy in before the project went public. The offer sounded like a great opportunity, and everyone in the chat seemed excited about it.

But then I started to notice some red flags. The so-called insider’s profile was brand new, with no previous posts or activity on Telegram. When I asked for more information about the project and the team behind it, his answers were vague and evasive. Despite the excitement in the group, I decided to do some research outside of Telegram. I couldn’t find any information about the project he mentioned, and the website he shared looked suspiciously like a template used in other scam projects.

I chose not to invest, but unfortunately, some people in the group did. Within a few days, the insider disappeared from the chat, and those who had sent him money were left with nothing. It was a classic rug pull, but this time it happened within the walls of a supposedly safe community.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of exclusive opportunities, especially when they come from people who seem knowledgeable. But remember, anyone can join a chat group and pretend to be someone they’re not. Always verify the legitimacy of any project outside of the groups and avoid sending money directly to individuals you don’t know. If you see others getting excited about a new opportunity in these chats, take a moment to remind them to be careful. Keep yourself safe and keep others safe by questioning everything and doing your own research.