Ironically, the very demand for the Cruel Intentions link created a lucrative scam market. Hundreds of fake "link trees" led to malware or paid verification scams. The legitimate CI admins "patched" their old links to force users to go through a paid verification gate (usually $20–$50 in Bitcoin), effectively monetizing the panic.

Frequently rotates on platforms like Max (HBO), Hulu, or Paramount+.

The cat-and-mouse game between the group administrators and Telegram's security team took a dramatic turn when the latter caught wind of the link. Telegram's developers quickly sprang into action, patching the vulnerability that allowed the link to bypass security measures. This patch effectively rendered the link useless, preventing further unauthorized access to the group.

Many "leaked" links on Telegram are actually phishing attempts or contain malware designed to steal personal data. Alternatives to Telegram