Telegram + OpenClaw Setup (Avoid Fake BotFather Scams)

This guide covers setting up Telegram integration with OpenClaw to create a real chat interface for interacting with bots. It provides step-by-step instructions for proper Telegram bot configuration while warning against common scams involving fake BotFather impersonators. The setup enables users to communicate with their bots through Telegram's native messaging interface, similar to texting a friend.

Key Points

• •Use the official Telegram BotFather (@BotFather) to create and manage bots—verify it's the legitimate account
• •Avoid fake BotFather scams by only interacting with the verified official bot in Telegram
• •Obtain your bot token from BotFather and keep it secure—never share it publicly
• •Configure OpenClaw with your Telegram bot token to enable chat integration
• •Test the bot connection in Telegram to ensure messages are being sent and received correctly
• •Set up webhook or polling configuration depending on your OpenClaw deployment method
• •Enable privacy mode in BotFather settings to control what messages the bot can access
• •Verify bot permissions and command settings in BotFather before deploying to production

Workflow Diagram

Concepts