Impersonation scams are becoming a significant issue in Vietnam, as highlighted by recent warnings from the Department of Information Security, part of the Ministry of Information and Communications. The department’s weekly updates have consistently reported a rise in impersonation scams, which involve fraudulent schemes where scammers pose as authorities or trusted figures to deceive individuals. Over the past week alone, six impersonation scams were reported, including four within Vietnam and two internationally. These scams have targeted individuals through various deceptive tactics, exploiting both personal and financial information.
One notable scam involves impersonators posing as immigration officers to defraud victims. In Ho Chi Minh City, scammers have targeted individuals seeking to travel abroad by pretending to assist with passport and visa applications. Victims are instructed to provide personal information and make payments under the guise of completing their applications. Once the money is transferred, the scammers disappear, leaving the victims without their documents and out of pocket. The Department of Information Security advises individuals to thoroughly verify online services and be cautious when dealing with unknown sources requesting financial transactions.
Another prevalent scam in Vietnam involves individuals posing as police officers to exploit issues with VNeID accounts. Scammers contact victims by phone, claiming there are errors with their VNeID applications and instructing them to download a fraudulent app to correct the errors. This app, once installed, steals the victim’s bank account information and funds. The department warns against trusting unsolicited phone calls and instructions from unknown individuals, emphasizing that official procedures are not conducted through such channels. People are advised to visit local police stations for assistance with electronic identification issues.
Additionally, scammers have been impersonating Shark Tank Vietnam and its investors to defraud individuals. Victims are approached on social media with offers to participate in tasks or votes in exchange for payment, only to be asked to transfer money for fake commissions or rewards. The Department of Information Security also reports scams involving fake recruitment ads posted by scammers pretending to be from legitimate companies. They request fees for job offers, whereas genuine recruitment processes should not involve any costs. Individuals are advised to verify job offers and service providers through official channels before making any payments or sharing personal information.
