According to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department, authorities have recently recorded a surge in a new form of online fraud targeting youth and their families.

In the past, scammers would impersonate police officers or prosecutors to intimidate victims. Now, they exploit students' dreams of studying abroad and their eagerness to learn, using emotional manipulation instead of fear.

Fake scholarships and psychological control used to defraud billions

Authorities warn that these scams are inflicting serious financial damage and appear to be the work of a well-organized network. Many bank accounts receiving the stolen funds share the same account holder name.

On October 28, Mr. H.N.L. filed a report stating that his daughter, H.K.L. (born 2006), a medical student, had been scammed and subsequently went missing.

According to Mr. L., the day before, his daughter asked the family to transfer 1 billion VND (approximately USD 40,000) for “application and financial proof fees” related to a “Canadian study abroad scholarship.” Trusting his daughter, Mr. L. sent the money.

H.K.L. then transferred the entire sum to a bank account under the name Le Quang Linh.

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A female student recently rescued by Ho Chi Minh City police from an 'online kidnapping'. Photo: Police
 
 
 

When the scammers demanded another 1 billion VND to “ransom” his daughter, Mr. L. realized they had been duped and alerted the police.

Investigators promptly located and rescued H.K.L. from a rented room on La Xuan Oai Street in Tang Nhon Phu Ward. She told police she had been psychologically manipulated and remotely controlled via social media, believing she was participating in a legitimate scholarship application process.

In another case on October 29, student N.C.M.T. (born 2007) told her family she was going to class. That afternoon, her family received compromising photos of her via Zalo, along with a threat: pay 200 million VND (approximately USD 8,000), or the images would be released.

The family reported the incident to authorities. Police tracked her to a hotel in Cho Lon Ward and brought her in for questioning.

T. revealed that between October 25 and 28, she had been contacted by individuals offering a “Chinese study abroad scholarship.” They instructed her to send deposits and processing fees.

Her family ultimately transferred a total of 3.45 billion VND (approximately USD 139,000) to her, which she then sent to scammers - again through a bank account named Le Quang Linh.

Ho Chi Minh City police issue urgent warnings

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'Online kidnappings' are evolving with increasingly devious tactics. Photo: HCMC Police

These cases illustrate how scammers prey on trust and academic aspirations, urging victims to isolate themselves, send photos or videos, leave home, and cut off communication with family. These steps make parents believe their children have been kidnapped, prompting them to send large sums of money under duress.

Police urge the public, especially parents of high school and university students, to stay alert.

Absolutely no money should be transferred in response to any scholarship or study-abroad fee requests unless verified through official channels such as schools or government agencies.

Families are advised not to blindly trust messages or images from their children if unusual behavior is observed. Instead, they should contact the child’s school or friends directly or report the matter to local police.

Schools are encouraged to enhance student monitoring, especially for freshmen. Any unexplained student absences should be immediately reported to families.

Parents should independently verify scholarship offers via official university websites, embassies, or the Ministry of Education and Training. They should never rely on messages received via social media.

Ho Chi Minh City police issued this warning: A single scholarship message could be a trap. A call requesting money might be a crime. Parents, schools, and students must remain vigilant to avoid falling prey to cybercriminals.

Dam De