Brian Jeffrey
Recently, the Authority of Information Security, part of the Ministry of Information and Communications, highlighted four prevalent methods used to deceive the public in Vietnam and warned about two new online scams that have emerged worldwide.
Its ongoing efforts include developing policies, legal frameworks, and technical solutions, along with enhancing public awareness and offering skills to help prevent scams.
In August, the Authority uncovered an additional 55 fraudulent websites imitating well-known brands, raising the total number of scam sites in their database to 125,226.
The weekly news bulletins, which began in November of the previous year, are designed to help individuals recognize and respond to online scams. Here are six important insights from the report covering online scams between September 9 and September 15:
Following the devastation of Typhoon Yagi, including severe flooding, scammers have exploited this situation by launching fraudulent charitable campaigns. They have been posing as government agencies and reputable charities like the Red Cross to solicit donations from those wanting to assist disaster victims.
In the wake of increased demand for cosmetic services, scammers have been masquerading as hospitals and plastic surgeons to deceive potential clients.
They create fake social media profiles utilizing the names and images of well-known doctors, sharing health-related content to attract followers. Some even forge certificates or manipulate images to boost their trustworthiness.
Financial investment scams remain a significant concern, causing considerable losses. Notably, a woman in Hanoi reported losing 2.3 billion VND after joining the ‘Financial Era’ group and investing in cryptocurrency on the Bitforex.com platform.
The Overseas Labor Center, under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, has raised alarms about fraudulent labor export schemes connected to South Korea’s EPS program. Scammers mislead job seekers by promising high-paying positions abroad while providing fake contracts.
A new scam originating in the USA targets individuals buying and selling items on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace who rely on Google Voice. Scammers manipulate users into sharing their Google Voice verification codes, which they exploit for further fraud.
Additionally, a recent USA scam involves deepfake videos of Apple CEO Tim Cook promoting cryptocurrency investments. These deceptive livestreams utilize deepfake technology, aimed at defrauding viewers of their money.
The Authority of Information Security advises the public to exercise caution regarding investment opportunities that promise high returns with minimal risk. They encourage users to thoroughly verify the legitimacy of cryptocurrency projects and to be skeptical of unsolicited investment recommendations.
