Cybersecurity experts have begun to record numerous complaints from victims of a fraudulent scheme related to Telegram's new feature. In late December 2025, the messenger introduced the Emoji Stake bot, which offers users gambling using TON cryptocurrency. Criminals create many fake bots and channels with similar names, convincing users to enter payment details and replenish their deposit. Such actions lead to the loss of money.
According to cybersecurity experts, even the official Emoji Stake bot can be dangerous. Players risk losing funds, because gambling in Telegram contradicts Russian law. Roskomnadzor reported that the amount of fines for Telegram for violations has already exceeded 130 million rubles.
Interest in the new feature, available only to paid subscribers, has caused a wave of complaints from victims. Igor Bederov, head of the company "Internet-Rozysk", noted that many of these people fell for the tricks of scammers promising quick wins through deceptive advertising.
Many victims were misled by bright advertising campaigns promising instant enrichment through bets on TON coins. Of course, this most often ended in the loss of money, since the proposed scheme was exclusively fraudulent.
Scammers use deceptive schemes in the form of messages from "official bots", offering "exclusive bets" or "access to increased odds". The links lead to fake pages where users can lose control of their accounts.
Experts warn users about the dangers associated with gambling in Telegram. An audience involved in gambling may lose understanding of the real value of financial transactions, which leads to more bets and, therefore, to financial losses. To avoid fraud, it is recommended not to follow suspicious links and not to enter credentials on unreliable resources.
