Unfolding OSINT via that little paper airplane.
Telegram hosts a blizzard of messages of public channels, groups of all kinds, and one-to-one conversations; to an OSINT investigator, it seems limitless. Millions of users and countless communities are sharing information, offering a unique opportunity to uncover valuable data such as phone numbers, email addresses, and user details.
Still, Telegram is widely celebrated for its strong emphasis on privacy and security. It uses end-to-end encryption for its secret chats, so only the intended recipients can access the messages. This commitment to encryption is exactly what’s made Telegram so popular, but that doesn’t make it immune to OSINT. There’s plenty an investigator can find for investigative research, verifying identities, or just gathering intelligence. This guide will walk you through proven OSINT techniques for finding Telegram user details, Telegram phone numbers, and Telegram email addresses — all while staying within legal boundaries.
What is Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)?
If you’re here reading this article, you probably know this already. Go ahead and skip this section if you don’t need a recap.
OSINT, or Open-Source INTelligence is the practice of collecting and analyzing publicly available or ‘open-source’ information. This includes online databases, search engines, publications, public records, metadata, government reports and even eCommerce… and social media like Telegram. Law enforcement, researchers, journalists, data analysts, cybersecurity professionals, Fortune-500 companies and even governments rely on OSINT to uncover useful insights.
Using only legally available and publicly accessible information is the core principle of OSINT. For more on how OSINT works and even a quick historical summary, check out our OSINT Basics article, ‘What is OSINT?’
How Does It Work? Understanding Telegram
Unlike traditional social platforms such as Facebook or Twitter (X), Telegram operates as a hybrid between messaging and social networking. Users have various options to communicate:
- Private one-on-one chats (end-to-end encrypted)
- Private groups (invite-only communities)
- Public groups (searchable and accessible without invitation)
- Channels (broadcast platforms with followers, similar to newsletters or subscriptions)
The latter form the core of Telegram OSINT. In terms of personal information, depending on a user’s settings some details — like usernames, profile pictures, and activity in public groups — can be visible to anyone on their profile.
How Telegram Differs From Other Chat Apps
Unlike other chat apps that focus solely on secure, private communication, Telegram goes a step further by combining encrypted chats with an element of social media.
It’s clear that Telegram has carved out a unique niche. For users and OSINT investigators, Telegram’s blend of privacy, versatility, and accessibility sets it apart from competitors like WhatsApp and Signal. Below, we explore just what makes Telegram different; something vital to understand for successful Telegram OSINT.
Why Telegram?: OSINT on An Encrypted Platform
Why are we focusing on open-source techniques for a famously encrypted and secure app?
Lucky for OSINT-ers, Telegram’s open to OSINT investigation because its ecosystem extends far beyond private chats: to public channels, groups, and user profiles where information is often shared openly. This duality — combining encrypted private messaging with publicly accessible content — makes Telegram unique and valuable among encrypted messaging platforms for OSINT.
While encrypted chats remain inaccessible to outsiders, publicly available data like open channels, community discussions and user profiles with Telegram phone numbers, email addresses, and more stay wide open. Telegram’s public-facing features allow OSINT investigators a unique chance to uncover critical information while respecting the boundaries of privacy.
Combining encrypted private messaging with a vast network of public channels and groups is what makes Telegram a powerful tool for both messaging and OSINT. However, this public/private structure is inadvertently a perfect climate for a minority of users to exploit the platform – for criminal and illicit activities. This means that more than any other encrypted messaging service, Telegram is often a data-rich focus platform for law enforcement OSINT.
The structural makeup of Telegram means most innocent users never encounter what gave this app its reputation as ‘the dark web in your pocket.’ Telegram’s end-to-end encryption in secret chats is extremely secure, while public channels, groups, and user profiles operate with minimal moderation, allowing for the unchecked spread of information. This combines with the ability to create anonymous accounts to make Telegram an attractive hub for cybercrime, fraud, and the sale of illegal goods and services – alongside legitimate, lawful users. What’s more, Telegram’s global reach and lack of stringent oversight enables malicious actors to operate with relative impunity across international lines.
It’s important to remember: while Telegram itself is not inherently criminal in any way, its structure and features inadvertently provide a fertile ground for criminal activities. For this reason, Telegram’s OSINT potential has become key in fighting the following:
- Terrorism and Extremism
Telegram is used by extremist groups to coordinate activities, recruit members, and spread propaganda. Telegram has been utilized by ISIS (Daesh), Al-Qaeda and Hamas – and Telegram OSINT can be used to disrupt them. - Cybercrime and Hacking
A ‘shadow community’ of cybercriminals on Telegram sell hacking tools, stolen data, and ransomware services. Public channels often act as illegal marketplaces – OSINT investigators can leverage these for threat intelligence. - Drug Trafficking
Telegram has become where drug dealers go to sell illegal substances. Encrypted chats and private groups let dealers negotiate deals, while public channels advertise narcotics – and provide evidence for warrants and stings. - Fraud and Scams
Scammers use Telegram to promote fake investment schemes, phishing links, and financial fraud. Fake crypto scams and ‘pig butchering’ are particularly common – as investigated in an OSINT Industries Case Study. - Child Exploitation
Telegram is now a key link in the distribution chain for Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Private groups and channels have been discovered sharing illegal content, advertised in public channels – with OSINT Training, this won’t fly under the radar of law enforcement.
It’s clear why Telegram OSINT is now particularly important for law enforcement agencies, cybercrime analysts, and financial investigators. The platform’s dual nature as a hub for both public and private communication is just an OSINT godsend; understanding Telegram’s structure plays a key role in combating illegal activities.
Still, there’s a million other non-crime-related reasons why investigators, cybersecurity experts, journalists, and analysts are increasingly turning to Telegram for OSINT. But how do they extract meaningful insights?
OSINT on Telegram: Three Key Approaches
In Telegram OSINT, three approaches are the most common:
- Finding Telegram Profiles, Usernames and Personal Information
- Finding Phone Numbers from Telegram Accounts
- Finding Email Addresses from Telegram Accounts
Below are the most effective OSINT techniques for gathering intelligence on Telegram users in these three ways. Explore our how-to guide for discovering emails and phone numbers from Telegram usernames, and even uncovering hidden Telegram accounts.
Telegram Profiles: OSINT for User Details
Every Telegram user has a unique username – styled ‘@OSINTIndustries’ – which can serve as a valuable entry point for OSINT investigation. Unlike one number, usernames (unless anonymized) are public, making them easy to search.
What if you need to search for a Telegram username in the first place? Here’s a few OSINT methods to find Telegram usernames and accounts and extract general user information, and what to do once you’ve gained this knowledge.
To find a Telegram account with OSINT, you can try:
Telegram’s In-App Search
If a user has a public username, you can find their profile by searching ‘@username’ directly in the app. It’s best to always try this first.
Browsing Public Groups & Channels
Many Telegram users participate in open groups, where their profile and past messages may be visible with a simple search or just by browsing.
Cross-Referencing
Netizens are unimaginative – or maybe using one username across all our accounts is just less complicated. If your subject’s reused the same username across multiple platforms, a Google dork can reveal additional accounts tied to a Telegram username. Common dorks include:
site:t.me “username”
site:twitter.com “username”
site:github.com “username”
OSINT Tools
OSINT Industries’ tool incorporates Telegram among 500+ username modules that find accounts from selectors like email addresses, phone numbers and other known usernames. Reverse searches like reverse email lookup and reverse phone lookup are ideal to find what you’re looking for.
To find further data using a Telegram username or profile, you can try:
Checking On-Profile
Often, finding a Telegram profile means finding personal information too. Profile pictures and other details can be visible to anyone on accounts with the weakest privacy settings.
Groups and Interests
You can glean a lot of OSINT from recognizing which open groups your subject is most active in. Group membership can become a lead to investigate certain areas, interests or communities, as well as pinpointing known associates.
Google Dorking
This is especially useful if your subject’s OpSec leaves something to be desired. The username dorks above can be used not only to find a Telegram account, but also to reverse search and find additional accounts with the same username.
OSINT Tools
OSINT tools like OSINT Industries and Maltego can map and cross-reference Telegram usernames with external data sources. What’s more, you can automate searches, all while automatically ensuring a high ethical and legal standard.
Telegram Phone Numbers: OSINT for Phone Lookup
Does Telegram automatically reveal user phone numbers? Sometimes. Every Telegram account is created using a phone number, but visibility and privacy settings determine who can see it on-profile. Some users allow their contacts — or even anyone at all — to view their number. Others are more secretive (and smarter). Luckily, OSINT can help you look up those much-needed digits if privacy settings are high.
To find a Telegram phone number with OSINT, try:
Contact Syncing Trick
There’s a particular trick unique to Telegram. If you suspect a phone number belongs to a Telegram user, save it in your phone’s contacts. If they haven’t disabled this feature, Telegram may display their profile. Neat!
Public Listings in Groups & Channels
Business accounts, recruiters, and community admins often share phone numbers in Telegram group descriptions, pinned messages, or bios. Try searching for terms like:
“contact us” site:t.me
“phone number” site:t.me
OSINT Phone Lookup Tools
With our 1000+ modules, it’s likely you can find a Telegram number from a phone number lookup with OSINT Industries. If you conduct a reverse email address or username lookup for your subject, you’ll likely find a phone number. If not, you’ll likely find a real name or other account you can use to run a new (free) lookup with, or Google dork via the dedicated button.
Telegram Email Addresses: OSINT for Email Lookup
Telegram requires an email for signup and account recovery, but does not display it publicly unless a user shares it themselves in a public channel. As this suggests, some users intentionally (or unintentionally) expose their emails through linked accounts, public posts, or group interactions. Here’s how to use Telegram OSINT to find those instances.
To find a Telegram email address with OSINT, you can try:
Business & Recruitment Groups
Find the right groups, and you’ll find the right data. Many Telegram groups cater to professionals, and these groups often encourage publicly sharing emails for networking. Scanning posts in these communities may reveal direct contacts.
Linked Social Media Accounts
Many users list their socials alongside their email addresses on LinkedIn, GitHub, or personal websites – again, especially if they’re business related. Often, Telegram usernames will be on the list, confirming that vital Telegram-to-email connection.
Google Dorking
Operating on the proviso that the aforementioned behaviour is common among social media users on LinkedIn and such, searching for the following can uncover those useful email connections:
"Telegram: @username" site:linkedin.com
"Contact me on Telegram" site:github.com
OSINT Email Lookup Tools
With our 1000+ modules, it’s likely you can find a Telegram number from a phone number lookup with OSINT Industries. If you conduct a reverse email address or username lookup for your subject, you’ll likely find a phone number. If not, you’ll likely find a real name or other account you can use to run a new (free) lookup with, or Google dork via the dedicated button.
OSINT Email Lookup Tools
Specialized OSINT email lookup tools like OSINT Industries can be used to automate searches and aggregate data to identify email addresses, and cross-reference usernames with known email records. Services like Maltego or OSINT Industries Palette can help you to visualize how multiple addresses map together around a Telegram account.
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Telegram OSINT
The fact that OSINT relies on publicly available data doesn’t mean legal and ethical boundaries cease to apply when gathering intelligence. A platform like Telegram is popular because it’s watertight in terms of privacy, and it’s important to respect users that are probably more security-minded than your average app user; this is particularly important if you’re collecting evidence or building a case, or just want to avoid any chance of legal trouble.
- Use Only Public Data: Avoid accessing private messages or restricted user information.
- Follow Platform Guidelines: There are certain activities prohibited by Telegram, for example, the platform prohibits automated scraping without permission. Make sure to check out the Telegram Terms of Service here before going forward.
- Avoid Phishing or Unauthorized Access: Hacking, phishing, or using deceptive tactics to extract data crosses ethical lines, and it’s illegal in most regions too.
- Use OSINT tools that ensure compliance, like Maltego or OSINT Industries: Read our Ethics and Compliance page for more details.
Paper Airplane: Telegram OSINT Takes Flight
There you have it. Telegram’s unique structure offers a wealth of OSINT opportunities, from tracking usernames and analyzing public discussions to finding phone numbers and emails linked to accounts. With strong Telegram OSINT, you’re soaring through the clouds.
Still, it’s important not to forget the value Telegram provides to law enforcement practicing OSINT. Telegram’s underbelly is dark: drug trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism. For some, the recent arrest of Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov is symptomatic of the tensions and contradictions at the heart of this unique platform. Can OSINT present a solution?
To see an example of Telegram OSINT in action, check out our Case Studies.
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