A new form of fraud using AI to mimic faces and voices in video calls via Messenger is among the three notable scams identified by the Department of Cybersecurity under the Ministry of Information and Communications. Citizens are urged to stay vigilant against these schemes.

Fraud under the guise of organizing travel tours

Recently, a woman in Hanoi was prosecuted for fraud after taking payments from two business executives to organize a five-day, four-night tour to South Korea. Instead of fulfilling her promises, she embezzled the funds.

The common tactic involves impersonating reputable travel companies or creating non-existent agencies. These fraudulent entities provide no contact details, business licenses, or legitimate addresses.

They advertise extensively on social media, offering tours at suspiciously low prices and demanding upfront payments without proper contracts or clear terms regarding the organizing agency.

The Department of Cybersecurity advises people to be cautious about overly cheap tour packages, especially during the year-end season.

Citizens should verify that the travel agency is legally licensed, make payments only through secure methods, and avoid transferring money to personal or unverified accounts.

They should refrain from clicking suspicious links or attachments in messages, emails, or posts on social media. Sharing personal information, bank account details, or credit card numbers with unknown individuals is strongly discouraged.

Fraud via Messenger using AI to mimic faces and voices

In a recent case, a woman in Long Bien District, Hanoi, received a video call on Messenger from her son, who is studying in Ho Chi Minh City, asking her to transfer over VND 100 million (approximately USD 4,200) for a study abroad registration fee.

She did not comply, suspecting a scam.

High-tech fraud like this involves collecting victims' images and videos from social media or other sources.

Fraudsters use AI to mimic faces and voices, creating fake video calls to impersonate family or friends. During these calls, they fabricate urgent situations such as accidents or debts to pressure victims into transferring money immediately.

Citizens are advised to verify requests by calling known numbers directly to confirm details.

They should avoid sharing personal information online, limit the posting of photos, videos, or sensitive details, and adjust privacy settings to restrict access by strangers.

Be wary of ‘competency test prep centers’ online

With the upcoming competency-based exams in 2025, numerous online courses are being heavily advertised.

Fraudsters create groups related to these exams and post anonymous inquiries about test preparation centers.

In response, comments from supposed “graduates” of these courses flood the post, praising their effectiveness. Once contacted, the scammers aggressively promote their services.

The Department of Cybersecurity warns that such ‘competency test prep centers’ on social media often display fraudulent tendencies.

Students and parents should seek courses from verified institutions, reputable test prep centers, or proven online platforms.

Verifying the credibility of the test center, instructors, and teaching methods is crucial.

Promises of guaranteed success are often red flags for scams.

Van Anh