Inside Telegram — The New Frontier for Digital Scams in Sri Lanka

It doesn’t feel like the start of a scam.

It begins where so many of us already are — Facebook groups, job boards, or quiet status updates about being between jobs. A comment with no job title, no salary, just one vague sentence:

“Try this. Pays daily. My cousin did it.”

So you click. You’re thrown here and there and you end up on Telegram.

You’re not alone. And you’re not foolish.
Because from that moment on — you’re playing by their rules.

📲 Why Telegram? Why Not WhatsApp or Messenger?Telegram isn’t just another messaging app.

It’s designed for privacy, speed, and control — and that’s exactly what scammers love.

Here’s why scammers choose Telegram:

• No phone number required — just a username
• Display names, pictures, and bios can change instantly
• Bots and testimonials can be faked
• Delete the account and create a new one instantly
• There’s no working report or moderation system at scale

Telegram wasn’t built for scams.
But it has become their safest haven.

🎭 How Telegram Scams Work: A Breakdown

Telegram scams in Sri Lanka are no longer random.
They’re coordinated. Professional. Scripted.

Here’s the a structure for most of the common scams:

• The Recruiter – Friendly and welcoming
• The Task Handler – Assigns work and pays a small amount
• The Finance Agent – Requests deposits or bank details
• The Success Story – A fake user pretending to succeed

Everything is set up to gain your trust fast — and then ask for money.

🧾 Real Case: The “STX Entertainment” Job Scam in Sri Lanka

A Leo volunteer was offered a vague job. No interview. No title. Just daily income.

The group used the name STX Entertainment — a fake brand. Members were asked to complete “ticketing tasks” and were paid Rs. 5,800.

Then came the twist: Rs. 40,000 was demanded as a deposit to continue.

When the volunteer refused, the scammers threatened him in Sinhala using his real name. The money trail stopped. So did the illusion.

❗️And That’s Just One Scam Type

Telegram is now Sri Lanka’s hotbed for scams, and job offers are just the start.

🛍️ 1. Fake Online Stores

You join a group selling “branded” electronics or airline tickets at crazy discounts.
You pay. They vanish.

🧾 2. Invoice Phishing

Fake PayPal or HNB invoices are sent via email or Telegram. You’re told to call support.
They’ll ask for bank info — or even remote access.

💸 3. Crypto Doubling Schemes

Groups use fake screenshots and AI-generated influencers claiming to double your crypto.
All lies. All gone.

❤️ 4. Romance Scams

They may pretend to be friends or more. They build trust.
Then ask for money, gift cards, or “help” with a payment.

🌿 5. Religious & Donation Scams

They may appear during crises or poya days, claiming to collect donations.
The photos may be real. But the money goes nowhere good.

Red Flags to Watch For

🧠 Why Victims Stay Silent

Scams don’t trick the “stupid.”
They manipulate the hopeful, the curious, the ambitious.

Once scammed, most victims don’t speak — because they’re ashamed.

But you are not foolish.
You were targeted — because you are human.

🔐 How to Stay Safe

✅ Never pay for a job
✅ Never trust Telegram usernames or screenshots
✅ Never give card details or OTPs to strangers
✅ Never forward money for others
✅ Screenshot everything and report it

If you’ve been targeted, write to us:

📧 hackawareteam@gmail.com

🧱 Final Words — Before It Happens to Someone You Love

These scams aren’t distant.
They’re happening on your phone. In Sinhala. To your friends.

They grow in silence.
But when we share, we strip them of power.

So screenshot. Speak up. Ask questions.

Because the best defense isn’t antivirus.
It’s awareness.
And now, you have it.

—

An Article by the Hackaware Team
For more stories and live threat breakdowns, follow Project Hacked.