Telegram, the new dark web claims home ministry in investigation report
Indian government report calls Telegram the new dark web, citing its use for cybercrime, extremism, child abuse material and rising fraud, with anonymity hindering user identification
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Messaging platform Telegram has returned after a temporary ban linked to the NEET examination controversy, but a government report has described the platform as "the new dark web", citing its alleged misuse for a range of illegal activities.
According to a report by the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Telegram is being exploited for activities including drug trafficking, cybercrime, extremism, terrorism, child exploitation, cyber scams and frauds.
The report also highlighted the platform's alleged role in facilitating extremist activities, stating that violent acts carried out by terror organisations were propagated on Telegram to destabilise public order.
It further flagged the circulation of child sexual abuse material through multiple Telegram usernames, bots and groups.
According to the report, cyber criminals are using Telegram to exchange information on the sale and purchase of mule bank accounts that can be used for money laundering and cyber-enabled financial fraud.
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The report also cited instances of malicious applications posing as legitimate banking apps being distributed to victims through the platform to steal personal information.
Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) showed a sharp rise in complaints and losses linked to cyber fraud over the past four years.
Registered complaints rose from 75,688 involving defrauded amounts of ₹1,359 crore in 2023 to 2,48,324 complaints involving ₹1,940 crore in 2024.
In 2025, complaints increased further to 2,75,840 with losses of ₹3,086 crore. Till May 2026, the portal had recorded 88,713 complaints involving ₹748 crore in defrauded amounts.
In one example cited by the report, Telegram was allegedly used for sharing pirated versions of the Hindi movie Dhurandhar.
According to a report by the Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Telegram is being exploited for activities including drug trafficking, cybercrime, extremism, terrorism, child exploitation, cyber scams and frauds.
The report said the government is monitoring the challenges posed by Telegram and flagged concerns around anonymity on the platform.
It noted that Telegram allows phone numbers to be concealed, making it difficult to uncover the true identity of users.
The report also highlighted the platform's alleged role in facilitating extremist activities, stating that violent acts carried out by terror organisations were propagated on Telegram to destabilise public order.
It further flagged the circulation of child sexual abuse material through multiple Telegram usernames, bots and groups.
According to the report, cyber criminals are using Telegram to exchange information on the sale and purchase of mule bank accounts that can be used for money laundering and cyber-enabled financial fraud.
Also Read: UAE oil exports soar to 85% of Abu Dhabi's pre-war levels, says IEA
The report also cited instances of malicious applications posing as legitimate banking apps being distributed to victims through the platform to steal personal information.
Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) showed a sharp rise in complaints and losses linked to cyber fraud over the past four years.
Registered complaints rose from 75,688 involving defrauded amounts of ₹1,359 crore in 2023 to 2,48,324 complaints involving ₹1,940 crore in 2024.
In 2025, complaints increased further to 2,75,840 with losses of ₹3,086 crore. Till May 2026, the portal had recorded 88,713 complaints involving ₹748 crore in defrauded amounts.
In one example cited by the report, Telegram was allegedly used for sharing pirated versions of the Hindi movie Dhurandhar.
(Edited by : Amrita, Juviraj Anchil)
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