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The Telegram messaging app is the fastest-growing source of online scams, a report has found.
One in five fraud cases (20pc) reported to Revolut originated on the instant messaging service in 2025, an increase of 233pc from the previous year.
Almost half of scams (44pc) last year originated on platforms run by Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Telegram is one of the most popular messaging apps, with more than 900 million active users worldwide, and around six million in Britain. It has long been the go-to messaging platform for criminals because of the company’s refusal to share any data with government agencies.
Revolut analysed more than 10 billion global transactions in 2025 for its fourth annual Consumer Security and Financial Crime Report.
It found that 20pc of scams reported by users originated on Telegram and authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where consumers were tricked into willingly sending money to criminals, increased by 233pc.
2702 UK’s most common scam types
In Britain, purchase scams – which con people into paying for goods or services that are never delivered – were the most common type reported, at 55pc. Job scams, the fastest-growing category, hit 22pc.
Meta was the largest source of scams for the fourth year running, at 44pc, almost half of which came from Facebook. There was also a six-fold increase in cases from video-sharing platform TikTok, which is owned by a consortium of global investors.
Revolut warned that criminals were “running rampant” on private messaging apps, but that scams were still coming from social media platforms.
Woody Malouf, of Revolut, said social media companies needed to “step up” and protect users.
He added: “The rapid rise of scams stemming from Telegram shows how quickly criminal tactics adapt. Revolut is processing billions of data points to stay ahead, but the digital ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link.
“We need social media companies to step up. Protecting users must be a shared priority across the entire industry, including the platforms where these scams are born.”
2702 Telegram is one of the UK’s biggest app scam platforms
A recent study from Juniper Research found that social media platforms received £3.8bn in revenue from fraudulent adverts in Europe alone during 2025.
Jonathan Watts-Lay, of financial wellbeing specialists Wealth at Work, said: “Fraudsters often look and sound legitimate by having professionally designed websites and literature that mimic a genuine business, which is why it is easy to be deceived.
“Economic uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures make people more vulnerable. Often the reason that people get scammed is because they are offered amazing returns or something that they believe they can’t get anywhere else.
“It’s crucial to stay alert to the tactics of criminals and remember that scams don’t look like scams, and can be difficult to spot. Always approach any investing offer with caution and check out the company with the Financial Conduct Authority first.”
Since Oct 7 2024, victims of APP fraud have been able to claim compensation of up to £85,000 from their payment provider unless they were grossly negligent.
Telegram and Meta were both approached for comment.
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