Over 2,000 cases of online fraud reported over just two weeks

The Information Security Department warns of fake information pages of organisations to appropriate assets.— Photo vietnamnet.vn

HÀ NỘI — Statistics of the Information Security Department under the Ministry of Information and Communications reveal that it received over 2,000 reports from the public regarding fraudulent activities between 29 July and 11 August.

Faking websites, fanpages, fake 4G mobile phones, impersonating delivery staff, fraud online and real estate investment fraud, have been identified as six key targets for criminal activities online.

Recently, the international English language centre Ocean Edu was targeted by fraudsters who created multiple fake fanpages, using the company’s logo, competition names and images.

On the fraudulent pages, scammers solicited parents and students to register for contests, intending to defraud them of their money.

According to the department, brand impersonation was not a new tactic, but remains popularly used by scammers.

They created sophisticated and professional-looking fake websites and social media pages, often using domain names that were similar to genuine ones or making minor alterations to confuse users.

To bolster their credibility, scammers produced materials, advertisements, or products featuring well-known brand names and logos and posted enticing competition content to lure victims.

That led people to provide personal information and pay fees for non-existent contests or promotions, resulting in financial loss.

The department advises the public to be cautious when participating in online competitions.

People should verify the identity of individuals or organisations before engaging with any service or competition, confirm the authenticity of websites and emails by checking the URL and contacting the brand or organisation through official channels.

People should never provide personal or banking information under any circumstances.

Fake 4G mobile phones

Exploiting the switch from 2G to 4G and the demand for new phones, some fraudsters have recently deceived people into buying 2G phones disguised as newer models, selling them for VNĐ400,000 – 500,000 (US$16-20) each.

The scammers often use social media or direct sales methods to trick consumers into purchasing fake 4G phones.

After completing the sale, the scammers either delete their sales accounts or block the buyer.

Many consumers, attracted by low prices and lacking knowledge, end up buying phones from scammers, only later realising when the new SIM card reveals the phone is not 4G.

The department advises people to not buy mobile phones from unknown sources on social media. They should buy from reputable distributors.

If a person suspects a scam, he or she should report it immediately to the relevant authorities or consumer protection organisations for timely assistance and prevention.

Impersonating delivery staff

Some people are victims of scammers posing as delivery staff from reputable courier companies.

Their tactic involves calling victims, claiming to be delivery personnel and informing them of a pending order while requesting payment for the delivery.

Once payment is made, the scammer claims there has been an error and that the account used is for a delivery membership programme, which will automatically charge VNĐ3.5 million ($140) monthly.

They then send a fake Facebook link and contact number to cancel the membership.

Clicking on the fraudulent link and entering personal details risks financial theft from the victim’s bank account.

So the department urges consumers to be vigilant when paying for online deliveries.

People should always verify information related to services or promotions, avoid transferring money before receiving goods or services and do not click on links from unknown sources.

Real estate investment fraud

According to the department, the developer of the QMS TOP TOWER project (a real estate project) in Hà Nội has recently uncovered two cases of fraud involving prospective buyers.

Victims, following the fraudsters’ instructions, paid deposits before signing contracts, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of đồng.

The fraudsters employed a sophisticated scheme, advertising falsely attractive apartment prices to lure in customers.

When interested buyers contacted them, they were asked to deposit money into the developer’s account.

Once the deposit was made, the scammers cut off contact and absconded with the money.

So the department advises those interested in real estate investments to be particularly cautious with online brokers.

People should not make payments for apartments without confirmation from the developer or official notifications from sales partners.

People are advised to verify the identity of the entity or business before transferring any deposits.

Online investment fraud

According to the department, Singaporean police recently reported 897 cases of investment fraud in less than two months, with victims losing at least $36 million through scams on chat groups and social media platforms.

Fraudsters typically lure victims into chat groups on messaging apps like Telegram or add them on social media platforms.

They impersonate celebrities or reputable company employees, sharing investment schemes and screenshots of purported profits to entice victims.

Once deceived, victims are introduced to a series of investment plans and asked for personal details like bank account numbers, names and phone numbers.

Victims are then directed to transfer money to bank accounts or PayNow.

Some fraudulent websites or investment apps display fake profits to further deceive victims.

Scammers also reach out via social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, or dating apps like Coffee Meets Bagel.

In light of the incidents, the department recommends that social media users implement security measures such as not allowing strangers into chat groups, setting transaction limits for online banking and enabling two-factor authentication.

Users should verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities by asking detailed questions and checking the credibility of the company.— VNS