Inside Telegram’s Dark Side: How a Messaging App Turned Into a Cybercrime Supermarket

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When Telegram launched in 2013, it was praised as a privacy-first messaging app, a secure haven for people looking to communicate without prying eyes. With features like end-to-end encryption, cloud-based chats, massive group capabilities, and powerful bot integrations, it quickly became the go-to platform users seeking freedom of expression, especially in regions with restrictive internet regulations.

But today, Telegram’s story has taken a darker turn.

The same features that made it a champion of privacy and freedom are now being exploited by cybercriminals. Thanks to its minimal content moderation and its focus on anonymity, Telegram is increasingly being seen as a “Dark Web Lite”, a place where illegal activity thrives in broad daylight.

From Privacy Haven to Criminal Marketplace

Telegram’s rise coincided with global anxiety about data privacy and online surveillance. It was a natural refuge for journalists, activists, and anyone seeking digital freedom. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when darknet forums like AlphaBay or Hansa went inactive or were taken down, cybercriminals sought alternatives. Telegram’s open access, encrypted messaging, and searchable cloud infrastructure made it the perfect replacement.

Bad actors could set up a shop using a smartphone without needing a Tor browser or dark web credentials. The result? Telegram turned into a full-fledged cybercrime hub, offering:

• Stolen credit card sales
• Malware and phishing kit distribution
• Shared databases of breached credentials and logins
• Illicit services like SIM swapping, ransomware deployment, and DDoS-for-hire

What makes it even more dangerous? Anyone, even low-skilled attackers, can jump in.

Why Cybercriminals Love Telegram?

Several Telegram features have made it a favorite for cybercriminals:

• Anonymity: Signing up requires just a temporary or virtual number, and usernames can be anything; no real identity is required.
• Weak moderation: Even when illegal channels are taken down, they usually pop right back up under new names.
• Cloud storage: Files, tools, and stolen data can be easily shared and searched, creating an archive of cybercrime resources.
• Mass reach: Telegram channels can have unlimited followers, making it easy to instantly broadcast services or stolen data to thousands.

Telegram and Brand Monitoring: A Growing Threat Vector

From a cybersecurity and brand protection standpoint, Telegram has become a critical source of threat intelligence. During dark web monitoring and brand surveillance, security professionals now routinely uncover:

• Leaked customer data, especially from fintech and healthcare firms
• Corporate login credentials are being traded
• Phishing campaigns impersonating legitimate banks and financial services
• Discussions about targeted attacks on Indian and Middle Eastern banks

It’s clear that if you’re not watching Telegram, you’re missing half the story. This growing trend has forced security teams to treat Telegram not just as a social media platform, but as a key cybercrime intelligence source, rivalling even traditional darknet marketplaces.

Cybercrime Services Found on Telegram

1. DDoS-as-a-Service

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are widely advertised on Telegram. Cybercriminals provide tiered pricing, starting as low as $10, depending on attack complexity.

Popular offerings include:

• TCP/UDP floods
• SSH-Killer tools
• Advanced HTTP-based attacks
• DNS amplification floods

Thanks to Telegram’s encrypted chats and anonymous payments, launching a DDoS attack is now as easy as ordering food online, no technical skills required.

2. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)

Telegram has become a launchpad for turnkey ransomware operations. These kits often come with:

• Customizable encryption payloads
• Built-in payment portals
• Decryption key delivery mechanisms
• Even negotiation support with victims

Some sellers offer complete affiliate programs, turning cyber extortion into a scalable business model.

3. Phishing Kits and Impersonation Tools

Phishing kits sold on Telegram come preloaded with templates for fake banking portals, social media login pages, and e-commerce sites. These kits are:

• Designed to bypass detection mechanisms
• Sold cheaply to low-skill attackers
• Accompanied by tutorials and hosting guides

Once a victim enters their credentials on the fake site, the data is either instantly harvested or redirected to Telegram bots that send the results to threat actors in real time.

Real-World Incidents: Telegram’s Role in Major Breaches

1. LAPSUS$ Breach – Microsoft and Okta (2022)

The LAPSUS$ extortion group used Telegram to publish stolen data from Microsoft and Okta. The group operated a public channel where they not only disclosed breach details but also negotiated ransom demands. This incident showcased how Telegram had become the preferred PR platform for modern cybercriminals.

2. Medibank Ransomware Attack (October 2022)

Australia’s largest private health insurer, Medibank, suffered a major breach affecting 9.7 million customers. Investigations revealed that credentials bought via a Telegram channel enabled attackers to infiltrate the internal network. Despite Medibank sealing its network, attackers had already exfiltrated 200 GB of sensitive data, later compressed into a 5 GB encrypted file.

3. Star Health Insurance Data Leak (September 2024)

Indian health insurance giant Star Health was targeted by a hacker using the alias “xenZen”, who exploited Telegram chatbots to leak and monetize stolen data. The breach exposed personal data of over 31 million customers, including medical records and tax IDs. Even though Telegram removed the bot within 24 hours, new bots quickly resurfaced, underscoring the challenge of content moderation at scale.

Key Takeaway

What started as a privacy-first messaging app has now become a global marketplace for cybercrime.
Telegram surveillance isn’t optional for today’s cybersecurity teams; it’s essential. The platform is no longer just social media, especially for organizations in high-risk sectors like finance, healthcare, and government; it’s a live feed of emerging threats.

Proactive monitoring of Telegram can help organizations:

• Detect data leaks early
• Stop brand impersonation
• Preventing customer-targeted scams
• Track and investigate threat actor activity

Telegram may not be part of your threat landscape yet, but it is already for attackers.

Stay one step ahead of emerging threats on platforms like Telegram. Get proactive threat detection and rapid response with our expert MDR Service.

References:

1. https://thehackernews.com/2022/03/microsoft-and-okta-confirm-breach-by.html
2. https://socradar.io/what-we-learned-from-medibank-ransomware-incident/
3. https://www.fortuneindia.com/enterprise/telegram-chatbots-selling-star-health-insurance-data-online-millions-affected-reports/118498