The Telegram prepaid task scam is a type of scam that targets job-seekers and individuals looking for work. It involves tricking victims into paying for a fake job opportunity on Telegram, a messaging app. The scammers typically contact the victims through platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram, posing as recruiters or representatives of companies. They offer work-from-home opportunities that involve completing simple tasks in exchange for payment. However, the scam unfolds in several steps:

• Friendly Intro: The scammers initiate contact with the victims, often using fake names and company affiliations [2]. They present themselves as recruiters or consultants and offer part-time or freelance job opportunities.
• Earning Trust: After establishing initial contact, the scammers ask the victims to join a Telegram group where they are assigned easy tasks such as liking YouTube videos, rating businesses on Google Maps, or subscribing to certain channels [2]. The victims are paid for these tasks to gain their trust.
• The Scam: Once the victims have completed the free tasks and gained trust, the scammers introduce prepaid tasks [2]. These tasks require the victims to deposit money with the promise of high returns. For example, they may ask the victims to pay a certain amount and promise to return a higher amount in exchange. This builds a false sense of trust and encourages the victims to invest more money.
• Disappearance and Loss: After the victims have sent all the money, the scammers disappear, and the victims never receive any actual payment [3]. The scammers use fake identities, fake bank accounts, and fake company names to make it difficult to track and prosecute them [3].

It is important to note that scammers often use popular brand names and fake identity cards to convince victims [3]. They take advantage of the anonymity and group features of Telegram to reach a large audience quickly and easily [3]. The scammers create private groups where they add victims and provide fake earning proofs to convince them to perform prepaid tasks [3]. They can also delete chat history to prevent victims from sharing evidence of the scam [3].

To protect yourself from the Telegram prepaid task scam, it is crucial to be cautious when receiving job offers or opportunities that seem too good to be true. Research the company and individuals involved, and verify their authenticity through official channels. Never provide personal or financial information to unknown individuals or groups. If you encounter such a scam, report it to the relevant authorities to help prevent others from falling victim to it.

Learn more:
1. Several job-seekers cheated in Telegram scam, Tambaram ...
2. Beware of this Scam on Whatsapp & Telegram!
3. Petition · Stop Prepaid Task Scam on Telegram · Change.org