Telegram is a popular platform for crypto communities, but it’s also a hotbed for scams. I recently encountered a scam involving a Telegram bot that promised to simplify crypto trading but was actually designed to steal funds.

The bot was advertised in a large crypto trading group. It claimed to offer advanced algorithms that could execute profitable trades automatically. To get started, users needed to send funds directly to the bot, which would then manage the trading on their behalf. The testimonials in the group were overwhelmingly positive, and the bot’s interface was sleek and professional.

Curious, I decided to test it with a small amount—just $100. The bot acknowledged my deposit and even sent me daily updates showing how my “investment” was growing. After a week, my balance had supposedly increased to $150, and I decided to withdraw my funds. That’s when things went wrong. The bot asked for an additional fee to process the withdrawal, and after I paid it, the bot stopped responding altogether. My funds were gone, and so was the Telegram group that had promoted the bot.

This experience made me realize that Telegram bots, no matter how professional they appear, should be approached with extreme caution. Never send funds to an unverified bot or rely on anonymous groups for investment advice. Scammers are skilled at creating illusions of legitimacy, so it’s important to stay vigilant and only trust platforms with established reputations.