The “matrix” of online scams on social media

In recent years, online scams have been on the rise, employing increasingly sophisticated tactics that cause heavy financial losses and threaten public security.

In Tuyen Quang, several incidents have been reported, including a shocking case in which a family in Minh Xuan ward was scammed out of VND2.5 billion through an “online kidnapping” scheme using AI-generated voice technology.

Officers from the Immigration Management Division of Tuyen Quang Provincial Police guide citizens on how to recognize fraudulent schemes related to illegal exit and entry.

The methods of online fraud are becoming more diverse, from impersonating state officials, police officers, or court representatives to pretending to be relatives or recruiters offering “easy jobs with high salaries.” Scammers often exploit victims’ fear, trust, or lack of awareness to appropriate their assets. In the first eight months of 2025 alone, nearly 1,500 online scam cases were detected nationwide, causing losses of more than VND1.66 trillion. In Tuyen Quang, police have initiated investigations into 12 cases involving damages worth billions of dong.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Phi Duc Hoa, Deputy Head of the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Division of the provincial police, most large-scale frauds stem from the leakage and sale of personal data. Cybercriminals use detailed personal information to craft tailored scam scenarios for each target.

To combat this trend, the provincial police and related agencies have intensified public awareness campaigns, urging citizens not to share personal information, bank account details, or OTP codes, and to avoid dealing with so-called “officials” via phone or social networks. Raising digital awareness is seen as the most effective “vaccine” to protect oneself and one’s family in cyberspace.

Hoang Niem