Across Asia, Telegram has become one of the most influential tools in the trading world. From Singapore to Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, millions of new traders join Telegram channels, private mentorship groups, and paid signal rooms hoping to learn faster and earn more. But beneath this growing ecosystem lies a difficult truth: a large percentage of self-proclaimed “trading gurus” on Telegram do not actually make money from trading. Instead, many profit from selling courses, selling signals, earning commissions from broker referrals, or—much worse—running outright scams.
This phenomenon has grown so rapidly that financial regulators across Asia have issued multiple warnings against fraudulent Telegram trading groups. Yet the problem persists because these groups spread quickly, appear credible, and target young traders who are motivated, inexperienced, and digitally native. Understanding how many of these so-called gurus are legitimate, how many fail to trade profitably, and how many operate as scams is essential for the safety and education of new traders in Asia’s booming retail trading market.
This article breaks down the real numbers, patterns, behaviors, and psychological traps behind Telegram guru culture in Asia—offering a clear, evidence-based perspective designed to protect and educate traders across the region.
The Rise of Telegram as Asia’s Trading Headquarters
Over the last decade, Telegram has evolved into the unofficial communication hub for traders across Asia. Its encryption, large group capacity, anonymous usernames, and automation options make it ideal for sharing charts, signals, strategies, and market commentary. This is especially true in Southeast Asia, where WhatsApp often serves social needs but Telegram dominates financial and crypto conversations.
Why Telegram Dominates the Asian Trading Scene
- Large groups up to 200,000 members create visibility.
- Forwarding visibility allows content to go viral quickly.
- Anonymous identity makes it easy for gurus to appear “expert.”
- Bots, channels, and auto-forwards automate signal delivery.
- No algorithm ensures all posts reach all members instantly.
- Crypto popularity in Asia makes Telegram the natural platform for traders.
With this infrastructure, Telegram became the perfect breeding ground for legitimate educators and scammers alike.
How Many Telegram Trading Gurus in Asia Actually Make Money?
Let’s address the core question directly: how many of these self-proclaimed gurus are real traders who consistently profit in the market?
Based on industry observations, prop firm data, and regional regulatory reports, the approximate breakdown is:
- 5% to 10% are legitimate traders who truly make consistent profits.
- 20% to 30% break even or have inconsistent results. but still present themselves as experts.
- 60% or more rely on signals, copy-paste charts, or manipulation, and do not trade profitably.
- 15% to 25% are outright scams disguised as trading groups.
These numbers are broad estimates but align with multiple broker investigations, MAS advisories, Bank Negara Malaysia warnings, Indonesian OJK alerts, and Thailand SEC fraud reports.
Why the Majority of Telegram Gurus Do Not Make Money Trading
Contrary to what many beginners believe, most Telegram trading gurus do not generate income from trading. Instead, they rely on alternative revenue streams.
1. They Earn Money From Selling Courses, Not Trading
Many groups promote high-priced “VIP mentorships” or “lifetime access signals.” The group owner earns revenue from fees rather than market performance. If trading profits disappear, they still earn.
2. They Earn Affiliate Commissions from Brokers
Many brokers in the region pay lucrative CPA (cost-per-acquisition) or revenue-share schemes. A guru earns money every time a follower deposits and trades. This incentivizes aggressive recruitment, not trading skill.
3. They Copy Signals From Other Groups
Some “gurus” simply forward signals or charts stolen from professional analysts—or even from Western traders—then claim them as their own. Many beginners cannot detect this.
4. They Only Post Winning Trades
Gurus often delete losing trades or only publish selective profits. This creates an illusion of expertise and consistent profitability, even when their real trading account is losing money.
5. Fake Screenshots and Fake MT4/MT5 Profits
Dozens of MT4/MT5 manipulation tools exist that allow users to create fake P&L screenshots or “live” trades. Scammers use these to build credibility.
6. They Do Not Trade Live Accounts
Many gurus trade only demo accounts while selling signals to real traders. They call this “risk-free analysis” but followers take real losses.
7. They Hide Behind Anonymous Accounts
Without accountability, they can lie freely, disappear quickly, or rebrand under new names.
This disconnect between image and reality fuels the illusion of expertise across Asia’s Telegram trading ecosystem.
Common Scam Patterns Seen in Asian Telegram Trading Groups
Based on regulatory warnings and user reports, several scam formats frequently appear across Asia.
1. The “VIP Signals” Scam
Users pay monthly fees. Signals are inconsistent or stolen. Once enough money is collected, the admin disappears.
2. The “Account Management” Scam
Scammers ask traders to send funds or login credentials. They trade recklessly or withdraw funds illegally.
3. The “Guaranteed Profit” Scam
Any group promising guaranteed profit is a scam. No legitimate trader offers certainty.
4. The “Join My Broker Link to Get Signals” Trick
Gurus earn commissions from broker losses (“revenue share”). They encourage risky trading to increase their earnings.
5. Pyramid-Style Referral Groups
Users are rewarded for bringing new members. These operate like multi-level marketing disguised as trading education.
6. The “Pump and Dump” Crypto Groups
Admins buy a low-liquidity token early, signal followers to buy, then sell into the pumped price.
7. Fake “Funded Trader” Claims
Scammers claim to be funded by major prop firms despite having no verified results or transparent accounts.
These scams grow quickly because Telegram allows anonymity, viral forwarding, and quick group formation.
Country-by-Country Breakdown: Why Telegram Trading Scams Spread Across Asia
Each Asian country has its own reasons for the explosion of Telegram trading groups—both legitimate and fraudulent.
Singapore
Singapore’s high financial literacy creates demand for advanced trading communities. But MAS regularly warns against unlicensed signal sellers and fraudulent Telegram financial influencers.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s vibrant social trading culture makes Telegram extremely popular. Young traders join channel-based signal rooms frequently, increasing exposure to scams.
Indonesia
Indonesia’s huge population and rapid growth of crypto trading attract scam groups promising unrealistic returns.
Thailand
Thai regulators report dozens of scams involving fake gurus claiming to be forex or gold trading experts.
Philippines
The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing crypto user bases in Asia, and scammers exploit Telegram to target beginners seeking side income.
The regional pattern is clear: the combination of ambition, digital learning, and anonymity creates fertile ground for both education and fraud.
Why Young Asians Fall for Telegram Trading Gurus
The psychology behind these groups is powerful—and well understood by scammers.
1. Social Proof Bias
Large groups with thousands of members appear credible even if the results are fake.
2. Desire for Fast Results
Young traders want shortcuts, mentors, or “secret strategies”—scammers exploit this impatience.
3. Authority Illusion
A clean profile picture and confident language is enough to appear expert.
4. Emotional Manipulation
Scammers highlight success stories, hide losses, and play on FOMO.
5. Lack of Financial Education
Beginners often cannot differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent trading behavior.
6. Cultural Respect for Teachers
In many Asian cultures, people tend to trust “mentors” and “coaches” more easily.
7. The Fear of Missing Out
When peers join a group, others follow—even without verifying the information.
These psychological vulnerabilities make Telegram gurus extremely effective at attracting followers.
How to Identify If a Telegram Trading Guru Is Legitimate
Not all Telegram groups are bad. Some are run by genuine traders, experienced educators, and analysts. But distinguishing the real from the fake requires strict criteria.
Signs of a Legitimate Guru
- Shows verified trading results (not screenshots)
- Provides educational content rather than hype
- Explains risk management clearly
- Displays transparent disclaimers
- Does not promise guarantees
- Operates under a registered business or known identity
- Focuses on teaching, not selling signals
Red Flags
- Promised profits
- Pressure to deposit via referral links
- No losses ever shown
- Fake testimonials
- Private messages offering “secret strategies”
- Anonymous profiles
- High fees with no transparency
These indicators help traders protect themselves from financial harm.
The Real Economics Behind Telegram Guru Culture
To understand why scams are so common, one must understand the economics behind Telegram groups.
1. Selling “VIP Signals” Is More Profitable Than Trading
If a guru sells VIP access to 1,000 members at $20/month, that is $20,000 monthly—far more than most traders earn consistently.
2. Broker Commissions Can Be Extremely High
Some brokers pay up to $300 CPA or share spreads with group owners. This encourages aggressive promotion.
3. Courses Are Easy to Replicate
A guru can resell the same PDF or video course indefinitely.
4. Zero Accountability
If results are poor, they can just rebrand or open a new group.
This incentivizes people who have no trading skills to pose as experts.
Regulators Are Increasingly Cracking Down
Authorities across Asia are now targeting Telegram trading fraud.
- MAS (Singapore) — Multiple warnings about unlicensed financial influencers.
- Bank Negara Malaysia — Alerts on illegal investment schemes on Telegram.
- OJK Indonesia — List of banned trading groups and “mentors.”
- Thailand SEC — Criminal charges against signal sellers and fraudulent educators.
- Philippines SEC — Advisories on illegal crypto trading groups.
The problem is widespread enough that regulators treat Telegram groups as high-risk environments.
Conclusion
Telegram is a powerful tool for trading communities across Asia—fast, convenient, accessible, and socially connected. But the rise of unverified, unregulated, and often fraudulent trading gurus poses a serious risk to young traders. While a small percentage of Telegram mentors are legitimate and genuinely profitable, the majority rely on alternative revenue streams such as VIP fees, broker commissions, and manipulated results. A significant portion of groups are outright scams designed to exploit inexperienced traders.
Asian traders—in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines—must approach Telegram trading groups with skepticism, education, and clear risk awareness. The digital trading world offers extraordinary opportunities, but it also exposes users to deception. Understanding how these guru ecosystems work is the first step toward safe and intelligent participation in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Telegram trading gurus in Asia are legitimate?
Only about 5% to 10% appear to be consistently profitable traders based on verified behavior and transparency.
Are most Telegram trading groups scams?
Not all, but a significant percentage engage in misleading practices, and 15% to 25% show clear signs of fraudulent activity.
Why do scammers choose Telegram?
Because it allows anonymity, fast group growth, automation, and easy manipulation of social proof.
Are paid signals on Telegram reliable?
Very rarely. Most paid signal groups have inconsistent results or use selective reporting to appear profitable.
How can I identify a fake guru?
Beware of guaranteed profits, anonymous profiles, referral pressure, and lack of verified trading statements.
Do real traders offer Telegram mentorship?
Yes, but they usually focus on education, transparency, and verifiable performance rather than hype.
Is account management via Telegram safe?
No. It is one of the most common scam formats, and regulators strongly warn against it.
Why do beginners trust Telegram gurus?
Because large groups appear credible, and beginners are vulnerable to FOMO and authority bias.
Why are Telegram scams so common in Southeast Asia?
High youth population, mobile-first culture, and rapid adoption of crypto/forex create fertile ground for fraud.
What should beginners do instead of joining signal groups?
Learn risk management, follow verified analysts, and use reputable educational sources rather than unverified Telegram channels.
Note: Any opinions expressed in this article are not to be considered investment advice and are solely those of the authors. Singapore Forex Club is not responsible for any financial decisions based on this article's contents. Readers may use this data for information and educational purposes only.
