The development of social media and instant messaging platforms has changed the way financial information is disseminated, making it easier to access, but at the same time providing opportunities for potential abuse. Among these platforms, Telegram has gained significant popularity in the Russian-speaking segment, especially due to its investment advice channels. These closed channels, which often require a fee to provide access, have attracted many private investors seeking to capitalise on supposedly expert forecasts. However, this phenomenon also poses a significant risk of market manipulation, especially for low-liquidity stocks. The manipulation mechanism, which requires the presence of a certain number of private investors, involves attracting their interest in listed assets with a further increase in value due to increased demand. The manipulator uses the increased value of the asset to close the position and take profits. This article discusses the detailed mechanisms of such manipulations and suggests methods to combat them.