Brian Jeffrey
Online fraud continues to be a significant concern, with scammers taking advantage of the rise in Internet use, social media platforms, and OTT applications to deceive and steal from unsuspecting individuals.
The AIS is actively collaborating with relevant authorities to educate the public on various scams and effective prevention measures to tackle the persistent issue of online scams.
Here are the top five online scam tactics flagged by the AIS as notable threats during the period from July 29 to August 4:
An unfortunate incident involved a woman from Thanh Hoa falling prey to a scam while trying to recover money lost in an online shopping fraud scheme. She was tricked into providing personal information and additional funds to a fake recovery service, resulting in further financial loss.
Scammers create fake social media profiles offering “money recovery” services. They solicit victims’ personal and banking details, previous scam amounts, and service fees. After receiving funds, scammers often block further contact, citing account errors.
The AIS warns against trusting such services and advises caution in sharing sensitive personal information. If scammed, individuals should promptly report the incident to the authorities.
In another case, a resident purchased bone and joint medication from a fake specialist doctor at the Military Hospital, leading to adverse health consequences. Scammers use fake social media profiles to promote expensive “miracle” drugs, posing as doctors and prescribing medications without proper consultation.
The AIS recommends exercising caution when buying medication online, particularly unfamiliar products. Seek medical advice from certified professionals and verify drug sources through reliable channels.
Scammers targeted individuals seeking overseas work or visa-free travel to Jeju Island, South Korea, defrauding victims of over 747 million VND through deceptive schemes. They promise swift visa processing or high success rates, exploiting victims’ lack of visa knowledge to extract personal information or advance payments.
It is crucial to verify the legitimacy of service providers, avoid unfamiliar links, and consult official consular websites for visa information. Any suspected fraud should be reported to the authorities immediately.
Meta users have been warned about scams involving copyright protection tools on Facebook. Scammers use AI-generated videos or false content matches to accuse users of copyright violations, demanding payment to restore access.
Content creators should stay vigilant and verify emails for legitimacy. If content is removed, seek assistance from the platform’s support team to address any copyright concerns and avoid sharing personal information or clicking on suspicious links.
Amazon users have received emails concerning purchase problems, such as payment issues or expired Prime memberships, prompting them to provide personal information or pay fees through included links.
These messages are a significant threat as stolen information can lead to fraudulent transactions or account takeovers. Users should be cautious of such messages, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, and safeguard their personal and financial details.
