During the week of October 28 to November 3, the Department of Information Security (Ministry of Information and Communications) identified three common scams used by cybercriminals to steal information and assets from Vietnamese users.

Impersonating the Vietnam Register to steal information

Recently, cybercriminals have been impersonating the Vietnam Register to deceive vehicle owners.

These scammers call vehicle owners, claiming that the Register is updating inspection stickers from October 2024 and requesting payment for the sticker and shipping fees.

They direct vehicle owners to a fake website mimicking the Vietnam Register to input personal information needed for the sticker exchange.

By accessing these counterfeit websites, vehicle owners risk their personal information being stolen, potentially allowing scammers to control devices and steal assets.

Citizens are urged not to click on links sent by strangers or download unverified applications, and not to share sensitive information such as bank accounts, OTP codes, or passwords.

Caution advised when buying and selling on social media

Scammers often create fake social media pages, posting photos and information about products at prices significantly lower than market value.

These fraudulent Facebook pages usually lack transparent personal information.

Additionally, scammers join online groups and continuously post advertisements to attract attention.

Once victims express interest and agree to buy, scammers request a deposit and then disappear, cutting all communication.

T.V.L has been detained by the Dak R'lap District Police (Dak Nong) for investigation regarding fraud and asset misappropriation.

The Department of Information Security advises people to be cautious when conducting transactions on social media, verify the identity and reputation of sellers, and ensure the quality of products before purchase. Avoid making deposits to prevent asset theft and do not provide sensitive personal information.

If scam activity is suspected, report it immediately to authorities or consumer protection organizations for support, timely resolution, and prevention.

Fake fan pages for races and entertainment events

Recently, there have been numerous fake fan pages impersonating event organizers to post false information and steal assets.

For example, the organizers of the 'Nha Trang Night Run Sanvinest - Khanh Hoa Newspaper 2024' were impersonated by a group posting misleading information to scam participants.

Scammers often request payments for participation fees, system fees, or other expenses once contacted by potential victims. After the money is transferred, scammers block all communication, taking the funds.

The Department of Information Security urges people to be cautious with social media posts and information from unverified sources, verify information authenticity, avoid sharing sensitive personal details, and refrain from following instructions or transferring money to unknown sources.

In the last two weeks of October, the Department’s systems received nearly 9,700 reports from Vietnamese users about online scam cases.

Van Anh