$8.4bn illicit market found on Telegram: ‘Criminals use it as a dark web’
A multi-billion dollar illicit marketplace has been uncovered on the Telegram messaging site.
Picture: Pexels
702 and CapeTalk’s Stephen Grootes speaks with tech expert Siphumelele Zondi.
Listen below:
The messaging platform Telegram has a shocking dark side.
An analytics firm uncovered a massive black market operating through Telegram worth $8.4billion.
Zondi says Telegram is now using AI bots to try and investigate the criminal underworld running on their app.
Telegram is encrypted, which makes it a prime location for criminals to engage in unsavoury behaviour.
Criminals will use Telegram groups to sell illicit goods, from drugs to stolen data.
“They are using Telegram as some sort of dark web.”
- Siphumelele Zondi, Tech Expert
There have also been rising reports of hacked Telegram accounts.
Zondi says this hacking largely happens through phishing scams and malware.
These hackers may use your account for illicit behaviour on the dark web, or may try extort your loved ones for money.
RELATED: South Africa expected to lose R2.2bn annually to cybercrime
Once your account has been hacked, Zondi says it is very difficult to get it back.
“If your account is hacked, immediately alert all your friends through other platforms.”
- Siphumelele Zondi, Tech Expert
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