Official Telegram bots and how to tell a real bot from a fake
Which Telegram bots are official — @BotFather, @PremiumBot, @SpamBot, @Stickers and others — which are made by other companies, and how to tell a real bot from an imitation.
Most bots on Telegram are not made by Telegram. Its FAQ says Telegram has a few official bots for specific purposes, such as @gif and @Stickers, but does not usually make bots: a bot is a program built by another company or developer through the Bot API. Below is what Telegram itself names, what it does not, and how to check that a bot is the real thing.
Bots and accounts that Telegram names itself
| Account | What it is for |
|---|---|
| @BotFather | Registering and setting up bots: a developer creates a bot and gets its token there — how to create a bot |
| @PremiumBot | Telegram Premium subscription and cancelling it with /stop — how to cancel Premium |
| @SpamBot | If your account was limited for spam: you can appeal if you are sure it is a mistake |
| @NoToScam | Where Telegram's FAQ tells you to write if a scammer pretends to be you |
| @EURegulation | Requesting a copy of your data and privacy questions |
| @Stickers | Working with stickers |
| @gif | Searching GIFs |
| The verified "Telegram" chat | A service chat where login codes arrive |
This is not a list of everything Telegram ever launched — only the accounts confirmed in its own FAQ and documentation.
What other companies make
Bots for wallets, payments, exchanges, shops, games and mini apps are products of other companies, not of Telegram. For example, the help page of @CryptoBot is signed by Crypto Team, not Telegram. The Shiba Bank bot is a third-party bot too: it sells Stars and Premium and buys Stars, but it is not part of Telegram.
Telegram itself describes bots as small applications that run inside Telegram, made by outside developers. According to the official documentation they can do many things: take commands and buttons, open Mini Apps, accept payments in Stars, work as business bots in chats, answer inline requests.
There is no "top bots" list here: what suits you depends on the task, and trust comes not from a ranking but from the source — the service's official site and a verification mark.
How to tell a real bot from a fake
- Check the exact @username. Take the bot's name from the service's official site, not from a chat or an ad. Imitations differ by one letter or an underscore.
- Do not rely on "bot" in the name. Names usually end in it, but not always: the official @stickers and @gif do not. A bot does show a "bot" label in the chat, and has no "last seen" status.
- Look for the verification mark. Telegram verifies large, active official channels, groups and bots; the mark shows on the info page, in the chat list and in search. Only Telegram assigns it, and marks from third-party verifiers look different. Verification does not mean Telegram recommends the service, and personal accounts are not verified.
- Never give out your login code. According to the FAQ, login codes arrive in the verified service chat "Telegram" and must not be shared with anyone. A bot cannot see your phone number or code unless you hand them over — a real bot does not need them.
- Do not open links from strangers' messages and never type a wallet's secret phrase anywhere. Common tricks are in scams on Telegram.
Why is a bot messaging me?
A bot cannot start a conversation: you have to start it, write to it or add it to a group first. So a bot that writes to you privately is one you used before, maybe long ago. Per Telegram's FAQ, you can block a bot like a person. If you do not remember it, do not follow links in its messages.
In a group, a bot by default sees only the messages addressed to it. If it needs access to all messages, the member list says so; avoid adding bots you do not fully trust to sensitive groups.
The Shiba Bank bot
Shiba Bank is a third-party bot, not part of Telegram. It buys Stars on Fragment, sends Stars and Premium by @username, and buys your Stars for USDT. It never asks for a login code, a cloud password or a wallet's secret phrase. Its address is @barboskich_stars_bot, and the button below leads straight to it.
Frequently asked questions
Which Telegram bots are official?
The ones Telegram names itself: @BotFather, @PremiumBot, @SpamBot, @Stickers, @gif, @NoToScam and @EURegulation. Per the FAQ, Telegram does not usually make bots, so the rest are third-party.
How can I tell a real Telegram bot from a fake one?
Match the exact @username with the service's official site, look for the verification mark, and never share a login code or password. The word "bot" in a name proves nothing.
Why are bots messaging me on Telegram?
A bot cannot message first: you must have started it, written to it or added it to a group. If you do not remember it, avoid its links and block it.
What is @BotFather?
It is the bot developers use to register their bots and get a token. An ordinary user rarely needs it.
Can a bot see my phone number and login code?
No, unless you give them. Login codes arrive in the service chat "Telegram" and no one needs them: a real bot will not ask.
Is Shiba Bank an official Telegram bot?
No. It is a third-party bot: it sells Stars and Premium, does not belong to Telegram and never asks for a login code.
