Not just on Telegram, even in real life, if someone asks me to lend them X amount, it's an automatic no. Whether it’s a legit request from a close friend, family member, or especially from a distant friend or stranger, I always decline. I've been scammed before, so I’ve learned my lesson, no more lending money to anyone, lol.
This is me also but I still consider some people who I still trust and know they are asking for the money truly for something important, if I can help them, I still give it to them. Especially when it is someone you can’t ask of the money back after lending, I just give them an amount I can afford to give them that even if they don’t return, I won’t feel pained for lending it to them. Many of us have faced scam before, so being careful and observant of such people coming to us online to seek for financial help raises a big alarm of red flag that one need to be aware and distant oneself from.