AI and deepfake technology drive rise in sophisticated online fraud

Vietnam is facing increasing cybersecurity challenges as criminals leverage artificial intelligence and big data to conduct sophisticated online scams. Experts warn that deepfake technology can now generate highly realistic images, videos, and voices, allowing perpetrators to impersonate relatives, business leaders, or influential figures to solicit money.

Criminal groups are also reportedly developing tools to bypass biometric authentication used in online payments, posing a direct threat to banks and payment intermediaries. The effectiveness of these scams is heightened by the exploitation of personal data; criminals purchase and categorize large datasets—including occupation, income, and habits—to create highly personalized and convincing fraudulent scripts.

Security professionals emphasize that the rapid production of fake content via AI makes traditional verification difficult. To combat these threats, authorities and experts suggest a proactive approach involving earlier detection, faster verification, and the timely provision of accurate information to prevent information gaps from being exploited.