TON’s ecosystem has grown rapidly over the course of the past two years, bringing millions of new users into crypto through the burgeoning Web3 ecosystem that it powers in Telegram. These blockchain-enabled applications in Telegram are fast, familiar, and fun to use. But with rapid growth comes an unfortunate reality: scammers are always on the lookout for newcomers who aren’t sure what to watch out for.

Trust is the foundation of any great ecosystem—and mass adoption will only be possible if users transacting on-chain feel safe and confident. As TON grows into the blockchain of choice for mass adoption, protecting users from bad actors is more important than ever.

The good news is that staying safe doesn’t have to be complicated.

Potential scams on TON Blockchain

There are a few techniques bad actors often use to take advantage of beginners—some of which are unique to TON’s ecosystem. Being aware of them and learning to spot the warning signs early can make a big difference.

🛑 Fake apps and bots

Some scammers create Telegram bots, websites, or decentralized apps (dApps) that look almost identical to real TON projects. These are designed to trick you into sharing private information, like your seed phrase, or approving shady transactions.

💡 Stay safe: Always check links and verify any bot’s Telegram handle. Never enter your wallet seed phrase or private key outside of trusted apps. Use only official sources for information.

🎭 Compromised contacts

Scammers don’t always look like strangers. Sometimes, they hijack a contact’s Telegram account, or create a convincing fake profile, to trick you into trusting them. Once they’ve earned your confidence, they might send phishing links, ask for urgent help, or set up a fake call.

In a recent case, a VC partner lost six wallets after receiving a message from a Telegram contact he knew. The contact’s account had been compromised, and the attacker used that access to schedule a fake Zoom call. During the call, they convinced him to download a bogus update and drained his wallets within minutes.

💡 Stay safe: Always be cautious, even with familiar contacts. If someone asks you to switch platforms, download software, or rush into something unusual, use a second channel to verify who you’re speaking with.

🚩 Scam tokens and disappearing projects

Scam tokens and fake projects often promise high returns, flashy roadmaps, or big-name partnerships that never materialize. After generating hype and collecting funds, they vanish.

💡 Stay safe: Watch out for teams with no track record, vague promises, and no real community engagement. Use a blockchain explorer to verify token contracts to ensure the token is legitimate.

🎁 Airdrop and giveaway scams

TON’s ecosystem has become a major destination for airdrops, with users across the world benefiting from these community rewards. Fake giveaways often ask you to “activate” rewards by sending a deposit or lure you into clicking phishing links.

💡 Stay safe: Watch out for hidden wallet-draining links or contracts that request unexpected permissions. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

5 simple tips to stay safe on TON

You don’t need to be an expert to stay safe. These five simple safety tips can help protect your funds across apps, bots, and platforms.

1. Be cautious of projects promising unbelievable rewards

If a new project is offering extremely high returns or free tokens just for joining—especially from a team you’ve never heard of—tread carefully. Scammers prey on urgency and FOMO. Take your time to decide how to proceed, and do your own research into the project.

2. Stick to official sources

Major TON projects will share updates only through their verified Telegram channels, X (Twitter) profiles, and official websites. Bookmark and follow these channels, and ignore lookalike accounts—even if they use the same logos or messaging.

3. Ask the TON community

One of TON’s strengths is its active user base. If something feels off, ask the community! Chances are, someone has already spotted the scam and warned other users.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Enable 2FA on all possible platforms. This includes your Telegram and other apps—even if they are not crypto-integrated. It’s one of the easiest, most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.

5. Follow TON’s official channels

Follow TON’s official channels to stay up to date with the best safety practices and ecosystem news, straight from trusted sources.

Protect your crypto on TON

With more people joining TON’s ecosystem every day, staying informed and alert is essential. Scams happen across every blockchain, but TON’s community and infrastructure are uniquely equipped to fight back through transparency, education, and collective vigilance.

With the right awareness and a few smart habits, it’s easy to stay safe while enjoying everything the incredible ecosystem has to offer.

💎 Stay curious. Stay cautious. Stay safe on TON.