Telegram is increasingly appearing in cybercrime investigations across India as authorities and cybersecurity experts warn that fraudsters are exploiting the platform for scams, phishing campaigns, malware distribution, leaked exam papers, and financial fraud.
The issue gained fresh attention after allegations of a NEET 2026 question paper leak on Telegram. More than 2.2 million students took the exam, and the National Testing Agency (NTA) temporarily blocked Telegram from Jun 16 to Jun 22 following claims that cheating networks were using the platform. A court later upheld the government’s decision after Telegram challenged the temporary ban.
Cybersecurity experts say Telegram’s searchable channels, anonymous usernames, automated bots, groups supporting up to 200,000 members, and 4GB file-sharing limit make it attractive to cybercriminals. Shobhit Mishra of CloudSEK said, “What began as a communication tool is now an alternative to dark web forums.” He added, “Telegram provides all three out of the box, making it the most versatile tool available to modern cybercriminals.”
Telegram rejected these claims, stating, “Cybercrime can and does happen on every digital platform.” The company also said, “It is categorically wrong to claim that Telegram is a piece of infrastructure for a problem that is endemic to the internet itself.”
Investigators say scammers often first contact victims through WhatsApp or Facebook before shifting conversations to Telegram, where organised fraud operations are managed. Common targets include students, senior citizens, job seekers, and aspiring investors.
Experts also noted that cybercriminals rely on mule bank accounts, cryptocurrency, anonymous accounts, deleted chats, changing usernames, and VPNs, making investigations more difficult. While Telegram says it actively removes malicious content using AI-powered moderation, police believe stronger authentication and faster removal of harmful content are still needed.
According to Telegram, the platform removed more than 43.5 million channels and groups in 2025. However, experts and international law enforcement officials believe platform restrictions alone cannot eliminate cybercrime, stressing that stronger cooperation between governments, financial institutions, technology companies, and public awareness campaigns is essential to tackle organised online fraud.
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