Online fraud is a big problem in cyberspace. The bulletin about online fraud on October 14-20 showed that though agencies have warned about the frauds, many people still became victims of scammers due to lack of vigilance and self-protection skills.

1. The Hanoi Police reported that many people were invited to watch and vote on films. After making acquaintance with victims via Facebook, scammers invited them to download a Telegram app which allows to watch and vote on films. At first, scammers transferred small amounts of money to victims to gain victim’s confidence. After that, they advised victims to put more money into accounts and appropriated the money.

AIS (the Authority of Information Security) has recommended that people verify information about subjects before transferring money; do not share important information; and do not click on strange URLs or download unclear apps. 

2. The number of cases in which celebrities are impersonated for wrong purposes on social networks has increased rapidly. The common characteristic of the impersonating websites is that there is always the word ‘official’ or ‘FC’ or blue ticks next to the celebrities’ names.

N.V.S has been found using images of Khoi Tran, an actor, and designing a fake Facebook web to swindle people. S also used AI to copy Khoi Tran’s images and voice and then made video calls to seduce victims to transfer money into their accounts.

AIS has advised people to check the authenticity of information about celebrities; do not follow the instructions given by strangers; do not transfer money to unfamiliar subjects; do not access strange URLs and do not share information about bank accounts, OTP codes and passwords.

3. Scammers impersonated Google’s officers to send messages and call victims informing them that their accounts had been hacked and it was necessary to carry out operations to get the accounts back.

Users have been recommended to carefully check URLs, email addresses, and not share personal information on social networks.

4. A group of people impersonating an animal rescue center in the US approached victims with lost pets in order to appropriate their property.

The scammers introduced themselves as members of the emergency rescue team, informing victims that their pets were in emergency situation and sent images of pets created by AI (artificial intelligence), requesting victims to transfer money to pay for a rescue service.

5. Victims in the Philippines received messages informing them about job opportunities or lucky draw winnings. When clicking on fake websites and providing personal information, victims’ information and accounts may be appropriated.

Van Anh