Scammers have been employing a sophisticated tactic to steal Toncoins (TON) from Telegram users worldwide. This scheme, uncovered by researchers at Kaspersky and detailed in a report published on April 23, 2024, has been operational since November 2023. Exploiting the growing popularity of both TON and the messaging platform Telegram, this scam has ensnared victims from various regions. The perpetrators lure unsuspecting Telegram users through a referral system, enticing them with promises of an "exclusive earning program" shared via their network contacts. The scam unfolds as victims are directed to join an unofficial Telegram bot, supposedly designed for storing cryptocurrency, and link it to a legitimate wallet. Simultaneously, they are instructed to acquire Toncoins through official channels, such as the Telegram bot, P2P markets, or cryptocurrency exchanges, fostering a false sense of security. Subsequently, victims are coerced into purchasing "boosters" via a separate bot. These boosters, named "bike," "car," "train," "plane," or "rocket," come with varying costs ranging from 5 to 500 Toncoins, depending on the selected tariff. "The ‘boosters’ are advertised by scammers as tools that somehow allow users to earn on their coins," explained Olga Svistunova, senior web content analyst at Kaspersky. "This scheme resembles boosters in online games - by purchasing one, the user gains additional advantages." The scam escalates further as victims are encouraged to create private Telegram groups with friends, sharing referral links and instructional videos pre-recorded by the scammers. Given the Telegram Open Network's (TON) reported 900 million monthly users, making it an enticing target for fraudulent activities, Kaspersky experts have cautioned users against falling for promises of quick riches. They advise users to exercise vigilance when engaging in cryptocurrency transactions and to utilize comprehensive security measures to protect against scams. Staying informed about evolving fraudulent schemes is also crucial to safeguard against such scams.
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