diff --git a/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py b/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
index 47e1690..6e2eb52 100644
--- a/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
+++ b/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
@@ -436,7 +436,29 @@ async def cmd_untrack(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
 
 
 async def cmd_start(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
+    user_id = get_user_id(update)
+    room_id = get_room_id(update)
+
     if is_group(update):
+        try:
+            chat_member = await ctx.bot.get_chat_member(room_id, user_id)
+            if chat_member.status == "creator" and not BOUNTY_SERVICE.is_admin(
+                room_id, user_id
+            ):
+                BOUNTY_SERVICE.add_admin(room_id, user_id, user_id)
+                await update.message.reply_text(
+                    "👻 JIGAIDO is watching.\n\n"
+                    "This group's bounty list is now active.\n"
+                    "You are now an admin (group creator).\n"
+                    "/bounty — list bounties\n"
+                    "/add — create a bounty\n"
+                    "/track — track a bounty\n"
+                    "/my — your tracked bounties"
+                )
+                return
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+
         await update.message.reply_text(
             "👻 JIGAIDO is watching.\n\n"
             "This group's bounty list is now active.\n"