A poster telling Telegram users to be vigilant of scam. POLICE
The Anti-Cyber Crime Department sent out a stark warning to Telegram users in Cambodia on August 14, urged them to be on guard against deceptive links asking for personal details.
A new scam had come to light, and the department was on high alert. A spate of fake messages has been circulating under the guise of the Telegram Company.
The notice highlighted that users were sent links promising safe and fast cloud-based computer programmes.
To many, the scam seemed legitimate, suggesting their accounts had long been verified by Telegram for safety. Yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. The fake notice was a trap.
“It urged users to click on the link and share their phone details,” the notice warned. “All Telegram users, please kindly stay alert and avoid clicking on suspicious links that request your personal data”.
This wasn’t the first warning. On June 26, similar deceptive links had emerged, putting user accounts in jeopardy. Such tricks grant faceless culprits access and control of innocent victims’ accounts.
Chea Pov, head of the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Cybercrime Unit, put it simply.
“When users click these links and share details, they’re at risk of losing both their account and money,” he said.
For Pov, prevention is better than cure as he urged: “If we don’t recognise the Telegram link, it is best to avoid it. There’s too much at stake”.
He noted that because of the warnings, not many people had fallen for the scam. Credit, he believed, was due to the department’s timely alerts.
“The department’s prompt information sharing has made users more vigilant. Additionally, our police have actively addressed these scams,” he added.
Ngeth Moses, an independent digital security consultant, believes user education is key.
“Understanding Telegram’s functionalities is essential for safety,” he said. “Indeed, social media has its pros and cons. Its use can be for good or bad. A minority exploit platforms like Telegram for personal gain.”
Moses advised: “Users should familiarise themselves with two-factor verification”.
He explained that this security measure involves two separate identification forms to access an account.
“It starts with a password. The second step could be a text code to your phone or even biometrics like fingerprints or facial recognition,” he detailed.
