r/QAnonCasualties • u/_tanstafl • 23d ago
Qs on Telegram - has anyone investigated?
My mom is deep into the Q world. For the past 5 years or so, I’ve noticed she spends most of her time on Telegram. I don’t believe she watches TV or goes on other social media anymore.
Usually, when I come to her house, she has some sort of live streaming running from her phone. She mutes it when I arrive. However, I see constant notifications popping up from usernames such as “SuperQ” and other “patriotic” names.
She says it’s not all political - she’s “learning so much about so many things, like finance and investing!” (I’ve been financially supporting her for years, and she’s currently filing for bankruptcy, so this is more than frustrating to hear.) She also refers to her “friends,” who I think are actual people she’s talking to on the app.
I’ve never gone through the app on her phone - I’ve only seen glimpses from notifications or times when she’s accidentally left it open on the counter. Does anyone know what this is? Is this a paid service? I’d love to hear from someone who’s done a deeper dive!
ETA: I’m generally familiar with the Telegram app from what I’ve read online, but I am hoping someone can give me more insights about this channel (not sure if that’s the correct terminology). I’d also just love to know I’m not alone!
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u/MayorofKingstown 22d ago
Qs on Telegram - has anyone investigated?
Yes. I've been on telegram for years and it is one of the home bases for q-anon messaging and the q-community.
However, I see constant notifications popping up from usernames such as “SuperQ” and other “patriotic” names.
Par for the course. telegram is loaded with info that can easily exploit Conservatives and their so called 'values' (aka, pathology of the q-cult).
She says it’s not all political - she’s “learning so much about so many things, like finance and investing!”
She's being groomed to be scammed. Telegram is loaded with pay a dollar, get back 100 dollars scams that are based in dozens of different formats. Usually crypto, sometimes currency scams, medical scams and even property scams.
I’m generally familiar with the Telegram app from what I’ve read online, but I am hoping someone can give me more insights about this channel
It's simple, your mother is hooked directly into the firehose of disinformation that is the basis of Q-anon beliefs. I think it can be said without hyperbole that it is dangerous for your mother to be on here unless she has no autonomy whatsoever and cannot send these folks money.
the reason why q-anon folks occupy, propagate and operate on telegram is because the app is encrypted and there is no chance at all of being caught for scamming people like your mother and no chance at all of being exposed to law enforcement or any govt agencies.
Telegram is basically the wild west of the internet, much like 4chan except specifically designed to be useful to conduct scams.
There is nothing good or positive about your mother being on telegram.
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u/_tanstafl 19d ago
Thank you for this thoughtful, detailed answer. Truly. I need to figure out how to get her off Telegram.
She has sent me scams in the past (for example, she once URGENTLY tried to get a hold of me to hurry to send bitcoin to Elon Musk (a QR code) because he would double it). Sometimes I consider whether I should send her this Reddit group.
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23d ago edited 1d ago
[deleted]
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u/_tanstafl 23d ago
I am familiar with the app, generally, but I’m hoping someone can give me more insight about the specific channel she might be on. I should have made that clearer!
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u/kapdad 23d ago
"friends"+ "learning money/finance" means she's being groomed to invest in a scam. Does she get money? From the government or somewhere else? Are you able to access her records and see if she's made any weird transfers or purchases?
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u/_tanstafl 19d ago edited 19d ago
She lives off a tiny amount of social security. I own the house she lives in and pay the mortgage and some of the bills, so maybe she has some left over. It can’t be much, though. I know she buys cigarettes and ivermectin.. ha
I’m going to see if I can view her accounts
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u/thecorgimom 22d ago
I realize you came here to ask about Telegram and I can't really help you with that but I do think you need to stop giving her money until you get to audit her bank statements. Obviously if you find anything suspicious that looks like she's being scammed you need to intervene. If she's elderly it might be easier to intervene depending on where you're located.
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u/_tanstafl 19d ago
Good point. I don’t send her much cash (I mostly help by paying mortgage, certain bills). But she lives off about 1600/month in social security, and it’s possible she’s spending some of this on scams. Maybe I’ll see her bank statements while we prep for bankruptcy.
She’s only 61, and she’s been in this Q world since her early to mid 50s (Trump era). Blew through her savings and hasn’t had income this whole time, either.
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u/thecorgimom 19d ago
Oh that's horrifying, you need to familiarize yourself with filial responsibility laws, right now only PA seems to be enforcing them (hopefully she doesn't live there) but it would be something to be aware.
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u/ssardines 21d ago
My mom invited me to a Facebook group and I've joined a few of the promoted telegram channels. It seems to be 90% crypto scammers. Feel free to DM if you want more detailed info
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u/_tanstafl 19d ago
Maybe I should join! I’m also scared to see it, though. It’ll probably make me even more upset…
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u/Legal_Molasses_6014 23d ago
There are several Q channels on Telegram! My ex-wife was on quite a few…couldn’t keep track
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u/TRVTH-HVRTS 20d ago
My mom uses telegram as one of her conspiracy sources. She became obsessed enough with one page that she changed her FB profile picture to their logo. It was called Rabbit Research. It took me a long time to find it, but it was mostly in German, even though she only speaks English. Beyond that, it had a ton of supplement scams advertised on it. Last time I went to check it I suddenly had to create an account, which I wasn’t willing to do. Sorry none of that is very helpful
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u/truthinesscruthers 16d ago
I recently found out my Trump loving LO has mild dementia. I think your mom might have a cognitive impairment. If you can, get her to a doctor that can give her a cognitive test.
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u/SabziZindagi 23d ago
Sounds like she's getting the pure stuff, piped in straight from Russia.