Telegram Phone Number Checker
Operator: Stichting Bellingcat
A locally installable Python tool for looking up Telegram accounts by telephone number or username.
Social Media (SOCMINT)
OPSEC caution
Queries use your own Telegram account. Bellingcat warns that Telegram may suspend the account used because of the automation.
Product
Bellingcat Telegram Phone Number Checker, a local Python command-line program, version 1.2.2.
Availability and source date
Active
As of: 17 October 2026.
No functionality test has been performed.
Use in OSINT research
Looks up Telegram accounts using known telephone numbers or usernames. Returns available names, usernames and numeric IDs.
Queries
| Input | Result | Result type |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | Available Telegram username, name and account ID for the telephone number. | Retrieved |
| Username / alias | Available account information for the Telegram username. | Retrieved |
Features
- Queries individual or multiple telephone numbers.
- Supports Telegram usernames as an additional input.
- Outputs results to the console and a JSON file.
- Optionally downloads available profile pictures.
- Optionally supports SOCKS and HTTP proxies.
Categories
- Social Media (SOCMINT)
- Telegram
Coverage
Dataset
Telegram accounts that can be found by telephone number or username through the Telegram interface used.
Access
Installation and deployment
Locally installable
A locally installable Python command-line program.
Requirements
A local Python installation, version 3.9 or later, a Telegram account with an active telephone number and your own Telegram API_ID/API_HASH.
Export
A JSON file and console output; optionally profile pictures.
Provider
Stichting Bellingcat
Country of establishment
Unknown
Interfaces
No API, MCP or AI integration is documented.
Maintenance
Licence
MIT
Latest activity
Commit 08/2026
Stars
approx. 1,800 (as of 17 October 2026)
Legal note
Limitations
- Telegram privacy settings can block searches by telephone number.
- Channel and group usernames are not processed as personal accounts.
Guides and practical reports
Official · Installation and use
Bellingcat · EN
Describes installation, account access, telephone number/username queries and JSON output.