Create send_telegram_alert.sh:
#!/bin/bash BOT_TOKEN="123456:ABC-DEF..." CHANNEL_ID="-1001234567890" LATEST_IMG=$(ls -t /home/pi/cam_snapshots/*.jpg | head -1)
curl -s -X POST "https://api.telegram.org/bot$BOT_TOKEN/sendPhoto"
-F chat_id="$CHANNEL_ID"
-F photo="@$LATEST_IMG"
-F caption="🚨 Motion detected at $(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')"
Make it executable: chmod +x /home/pi/send_telegram_alert.sh
If you’re still relying solely on Google searches or slow-loading tech forums, you’re missing out. Here is why Telegram has become the go-to platform for IP camera enthusiasts: ipcam telegram channel
Channel Name Example: IP Cam Deals | CCTV Bargains
Welcome Message:
🚨 Welcome to IP Cam Alerts! We track price drops on Reolink, Eufy, Hikvision, Dahua, Tapo, Wyze. 🔔 Notifications: Lightning deals + coupon codes.
Sample Posts:
FLASH SALE: 🔴 Reolink Argus 3 Pro – 45% OFF. Battery + solar + 2K color night vision. Link + code: [INSERT LINK] Expires in 4 hours.
PRICE ERROR: 🚨 TP-Link Tapo C120 – $19.99 (was $49) Works with HomeKit & RTSP. Check out fast before it's fixed.
QUICK POLL: Would you buy a refurbished Hikvision DS-2CD2347? 👍 – Yes, same warranty 👎 – Never, only new
FREE TOOL: 🔓 Get 30 days of cloud recording free for Eufy cams. Use code: EUFY30 (link below) Create send_telegram_alert
For cameras with cloud accounts (Ring, Arlo, Nest, etc.), always enable 2FA. This prevents credential stuffing attacks that lead to feeds being shared on Telegram.
Manufacturers regularly patch known vulnerabilities. A camera with outdated firmware is a prime target for automated Telegram bots.
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| No photo on motion | Check motion logs: sudo tail -f /var/log/motion/motion.log |
| Bot returns "Bad Request" | Verify channel ID is negative integer and bot is admin |
| RTSP stream not opening | Test with ffplay rtsp://... or VLC |
Most compromised IP cameras are not "hacked" but simply logged into. Manufacturers often ship devices with universal default usernames and passwords (e.g., admin:admin, root:123456). A shocking number of users never change them. Automated bots, known as "scanners," continuously crawl the IPv4 address space, trying these default combinations on exposed camera ports (usually 80, 443, 554 for RTSP). Make it executable: chmod +x /home/pi/send_telegram_alert