Telegram fraud surges 233% as criminals exploit encrypted messaging, Revolut data reveals
A new report from digital banking platform Revolut has uncovered a dramatic 233% surge in fraud originating from Telegram, marking the encrypted messaging app as the fastest-growing source of authorised push payment (APP) fraud globally. The findings raise serious questions about the adequacy of current regulatory frameworks to combat fraud thriving in encrypted digital spaces.
While Meta's platforms—Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp—still account for 44% of reported scams, the explosive growth of Telegram-based fraud represents a significant shift in criminal tactics. The data shows Telegram now accounts for 20% of all reported scams, with particular concern over job scams, where 58% globally originate on the platform.
Background and Context
The findings emerge from Revolut's latest Consumer Security and Financial Crime Report, conducted by Juniper Research, which analysed fraud patterns across digital platforms. The report highlights how criminals are increasingly exploiting the private nature of encrypted messaging apps to scale deception operations beyond the reach of traditional monitoring systems.
According to the data, TikTok, while still representing a smaller proportion of overall fraud volume, has seen a sixfold year-on-year increase in scam cases, suggesting a broader trend of criminals migrating to newer platforms with less mature fraud detection systems.
Key Figures and Entities
The report identifies Woody Malouf, Revolut's Head of Financial Crime, as warning that "the rapid rise of scams stemming from Telegram shows how quickly criminal tactics adapt." Malouf emphasises that despite processing billions of data points, Revolut believes "the digital ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link."
Meta's applications continue to dominate the fraud landscape with 44% of reported scams, while Telegram's 233% growth rate demonstrates how quickly criminal networks can pivot between platforms. The report notes that nearly one third of Revolut's workforce now works in financial crime prevention, reflecting the scale of the challenge.
Legal and Financial Mechanisms
The report reveals that purchase scams remain the most common fraud type, representing 54.9% of all reported cases affecting UK customers. However, job scams are rapidly gaining ground, with a threefold year-on-year increase globally to represent 22% of all scam cases.
Perhaps most concerning, the research found that social media platforms generated an estimated £3.8 billion ($5.1 billion) in revenue from fraudulent advertisements targeting European users in 2025 alone. Meanwhile, UK Finance reports that APP fraud volumes increased by 17% in the first half of 2025 following the introduction of the UK's mandatory reimbursement regime.
International Implications and Policy Response
The findings come ahead of the UK government's upcoming Fraud Strategy, with Revolut calling for legal requirements compelling online platforms to participate in data-sharing schemes. The company suggests that platforms should face enforcement action if meaningful fraud reduction is not achieved.
In response to the growing threat, Revolut has introduced several initiatives including the Scam Buster Bot, which uses conversational data to predict likely scam types, and Street Mode, allowing users to set trusted locations for transactions. The firm recently hosted its inaugural FinCrime Summit, bringing together 150 partners and regulators to address the global fight against financial crime.
Sources
This report draws on Revolut's Consumer Security and Financial Crime Report conducted by Juniper Research, UK Finance data on APP fraud volumes, and public statements from Revolut executives regarding fraud prevention measures. The analysis covers fraud patterns reported between 2024 and 2025 across major digital platforms.
