Mongolia is facing a sharp rise in fraud cases linked to the popular messaging app Telegram, with authorities reporting over ₮1.3 billion, approximately $380,000 in losses in Ulaanbaatar's Chingeltei District alone during the first 5 months of 2024–2025.

📊 Chingeltei District Hit Hard

According to the prosecutor's office, 1,274 fraud cases were registered in Chingeltei District during the period, 76 of which, roughly 6% were connected to scams conducted via Telegram. Victims were often lured by false promises of high-paying online jobs or quick financial returns, only to find themselves transferring money to unknown accounts.

🌎 A Nationwide Concern

Nationwide, Telegram-related fraud resulted in ₮11.9 billion in losses in 2024 and a further ₮7.3 billion by May 2025. Authorities have responded by freezing suspicious bank transactions worth ₮15.6 billion to protect victims and curb criminal networks.

• 🔐 Encrypted but Not Risk-Free: The problem is not unique to Mongolia. Globally, Telegram has increasingly been exploited by fraudsters due to its encrypted messaging and broad user base, with similar scams reported across Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of the United States.

⚠️ Stay Alert, Stay Protected

Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited investment offers or job advertisements via Telegram, warning that “easy money” schemes often come with hidden costs.