Telegram A Platform for Crime Networks Says UN Report

The United Nations has revealed that powerful crime syndicates in Southeast Asia are extensively using the messaging app Telegram to facilitate large-scale illicit activities. In a report published by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), it was highlighted how Telegram has become a pivotal tool for organized crime, enabling activities ranging from cyber fraud to money laundering.

This report is the latest in a series of criticisms against the encrypted app, which has faced scrutiny from global authorities. Notably, France took legal action against Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, under a strict new law, charging him for allowing criminal activities on the platform.

The UNODC report uncovers alarming details about the use of Telegram’s vast, unmoderated channels for trading hacked data, such as credit card information, passwords, and browsing histories. Moreover, tools designed for cybercrime, like deepfake software used for fraud and data-stealing malware, are being sold openly. Illegal cryptocurrency exchanges that provide money laundering services are also thriving on the app.

One advertisement, quoted in the report, brazenly stated, “We move 3 million USDT stolen from overseas per day,” signaling the platform’s use in large-scale financial crimes.

The report further warns that Telegram has become a hub for underground data markets, with criminals increasingly targeting transnational crime groups in Southeast Asia. This region has become a significant center for fraudulent schemes, many run by Chinese syndicates operating from heavily secured compounds staffed by trafficked workers. The UNODC estimates that these operations generate an astonishing $27.4 to $36.5 billion annually.

Pavel Durov’s arrest in Paris in August for allowing illegal content, including child exploitation material, on Telegram, has intensified the global debate about the responsibility of tech platforms in curbing crime. Durov, now out on bail, has responded by stating that Telegram would start cooperating with authorities by providing users’ IP addresses and phone numbers upon legal requests and removing features that enable illegal activities.

Despite having nearly a billion users worldwide, Telegram has often been criticized for its lack of moderation. Benedikt Hofmann, UNODC’s deputy representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, emphasized how easy it is for criminals to navigate the app, increasing the risk for users’ data to be exploited in scams and illegal activities.

The report also highlights the technological advancements criminal groups have adopted, including the use of malware, artificial intelligence, and deepfakes. Over 10 service providers selling deepfake software specifically targeting cybercriminals in Southeast Asia were identified by the UNODC.

The widespread use of Telegram for illicit purposes isn’t limited to Southeast Asia. In South Korea, where deepfake pornography has become a significant concern, authorities have reportedly launched an investigation into Telegram’s potential role in facilitating online sex crimes. Similarly, a recent hacking incident in India involved the use of Telegram chatbots to leak sensitive data from a leading insurer, Star Health, prompting the company to take legal action against the platform.

As Telegram continues to face mounting pressure from law enforcement worldwide, the question remains: Can the platform balance privacy with its obligation to combat criminal activity?

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