A new warning from the Department of Information Security (Ministry of Information and Communications) highlights that all six popular online scams in Vietnamese and international cyberspace last week were impersonation scams involving agencies, units, and individuals.

The content of the ‘Weekly News’ on online scam situations, conducted by the Department of Information Security, has consistently warned about impersonation scams in recent months, with at least two incidents reported each week. In the weekly news from June 24 to June 30, Vietnamese Internet users were advised to be vigilant against six impersonation scams, including four in Vietnam and two internationally.

Impersonating an immigration officer to appropriate property

Thu Duc City Police in Ho Chi Minh City recently warned about a sophisticated fraud related to immigration activities. Scammers targeted people seeking to leave the country via social networks. After instructing victims to complete passport and visa applications, the scammers sent fake passport and visa photos and instructed the victims to be present at the airport to receive the documents.

Next, the scammers sent a fake document from the Immigration Department (Ministry of Public Security) requesting a transfer of money to prove their income and complete the application. Once the money was transferred, the scammers disappeared.

The Department of Information Security recommends that people thoroughly research and verify online services, review the history of posts, and check the authenticity of service providers before making any financial transactions.

Impersonating police to report VNeID account errors and defraud money

Recently, Vietnamese cyberspace has seen a surge in scams involving impersonators claiming to be police officers reporting errors in VNeID accounts. Scammers call victims, inform them of an error in their VNeID application, and instruct them to download an error correction app. Once installed, the app steals the victim's bank account information and money.

The Department of Information Security advises people not to trust unsolicited calls or follow instructions from strangers over the phone. Official police procedures are never conducted over the phone or social networks. For assistance with electronic identification accounts, individuals should visit their local police station.

Impersonating Shark Tank Vietnam to scam people

TV HUB, the producer of Shark Tank Vietnam, recently reported that scammers have been impersonating the show and its investors to defraud individuals. The scammers approached victims via Facebook, offering tasks such as liking, following fan pages, and voting for Shark Tank Vietnam participants in exchange for a daily salary. Victims were then asked to transfer money to convert points and receive commissions, only to be provided with fake repayment commitments.

The Department of Information Security urges people to verify the authenticity of requests or invitations from organizations by using official communication channels such as websites, emails, and confirmed phone calls.

Impersonating a delivery company to commit recruitment fraud

Giao Hang Tiet Kiem Company has reported cases of scammers posting false recruitment information on fake fan pages, contacting candidates, and requesting fees or money transfers to secure job offers. The company emphasizes that their recruitment process does not involve any costs.

The Department of Information Security advises people to verify information about service providers, avoid transferring money or sharing personal information before verifying the legitimacy of the company, and understand the interview and labor contract processes before participating in recruitment.

Tax scams in Australia

As people prepare financial reports and submit tax returns, various tax-related scams have emerged in Australia. Scammers take control of victims' accounts to submit fake tax refund requests using stolen data, including tax identification numbers. They also impersonate Tax Office employees to trick victims into providing personal information.

The Department of Information Security recommends using two-layer security authentication for electronic tax accounts, being cautious of messages and emails requesting tax payments, and verifying information by contacting the tax authority via official channels.

Impersonating payroll service providers to defraud businesses

The Gotham Bar & Grill restaurant in the US was recently forced to close temporarily after falling victim to an online scam. The restaurant owner received an email impersonating Paychex, a payroll service provider, asking for a transfer of $45,000 to cover service fees. The scammer's account number was used for the transfer.

The Department of Information Security advises businesses to verify the authenticity of email links and partners before making payments and to regularly update staff about fraud prevention measures.

Van Anh