Every season Telegram fills with crypto “mentors” who promise pumps, marathons and private rooms. Names rotate — Pump AI Crypto, trader-from-god branding, 100x handles, ICT owls, capital-with-a-K clones — but the business model rarely does. They earn from exchange referrals, paid VIP tiers, signal subscriptions or by steering you into tokens the inner circle can dump.
We still advise most people against active crypto trading as a plan for surplus cash. Channels that monetise the opposite advice deserve extra scepticism. Look for the tells: guaranteed multiples, countdown seats, bots that only open after you share a phone number, and admins who cannot show a regulated firm behind the nickname. A long username list is not a court docket; it is a pattern board. If two strangers agree the same handle pushed high-leverage gambling as education, treat the channel as marketing.
Mute, block, and keep screenshots if money already moved. Do not join the next “whitelist” room that promises to undo the last one.
If money already left, start at Get help. Ignore paid rescue pitches — Fake recovery.
This article is for general information only. It is not legal or financial advice. Details change. If you have lost money, contact your bank or card issuer and use the routes on the help pages.