Spam in Telegram groups usually means crypto or investment scams, adult links, fake support accounts and automated promotion. Telegram's own settings handle most of it before you need any extra bot.
What group spam looks like
- Accounts that join, post a link or a "private offer" and leave.
- Fake "support" or "admin" accounts that message members privately.
- Crypto, investment and giveaway scams.
- Adult or gambling promotion.
Telegram's built-in tools
| Tool | What it does | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Anti-Spam | Telegram's automatic filter deletes suspicious messages and acts against their authors | Group settings → Administrators (groups with 200+ members) |
| Approve new members | People who join send a request that an admin accepts | Group type or invite link settings |
| Member permissions | Stop members from sending links, media or adding others | Group settings → Permissions |
| Slow mode | Limits how often each member can post | Group settings → Permissions |
| Hide members | Hides the member list so spammers can't harvest it | Group settings → Members (larger groups) |
| Report and ban | Remove a spammer and delete their messages in one step | Long-press the message |
Labels can differ slightly between apps. Telegram documents its native filter in the anti-spam documentation.
Setup order that stops most spam
- Turn on Aggressive Anti-Spam if your group qualifies.
- In Permissions, switch off sending links and adding members for regular members; keep text and media if your community needs them.
- Turn on join approval for public groups that are being raided.
- Use slow mode during busy periods.
- Hide the member list so spammers can't message your members privately.
- Pin a short rule: admins never message first and never ask for codes or payments.
When to add a moderation bot
Add a bot if spam still gets through: captcha on join, word filters, anti-flood and anti-raid. Give the bot only Delete messages and Ban users, never Add new admins; plan it with the admin permission planner. If the group is linked to a channel, make sure the bot does not delete the channel's automatic forwards, or comments will break.
Already spammed?
- Delete the messages and ban the accounts, then check Recent actions to see what else they did.
- Revoke invite links that were posted in spam lists and create new ones.
- Remove admins or bots that were added without your knowledge.
- Warn members in a pinned message that admins never ask for money or login codes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop spam bots in my Telegram group?
Turn on Aggressive Anti-Spam if available, restrict links and adding members in Permissions, approve new members for public groups under attack, use slow mode and hide the member list.
What is Telegram's Aggressive Anti-Spam?
Telegram's built-in filter for groups with 200 or more members. It deletes suspicious messages automatically; admins switch it on in the Administrators section.
How do I stop people from sending links in my group?
Open the group settings, then Permissions, and turn off sending links for members. Admins can still post links.
Should I use a captcha bot?
Only if built-in tools are not enough. Give the bot only the rights it needs, such as Delete messages and Ban users.
Why do spammers message my members privately?
They copy the member list. Hiding members in larger groups and warning members that admins never message first both help.
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