BAC A Bank warns of malicious “app visa” fraud targeting Vietnamese users

BAC A Bank issued an alert about a new fraud scheme in which scammers pose as labor export or study‑abroad agencies and persuade victims to install a malicious mobile application advertised as “app visa”. The app gains remote control of the phone, captures banking credentials and one‑time passwords, and can transfer funds out of victims’ accounts.

The perpetrators typically request personal documents such as ID cards and passports, claim the need to open a bank account for visa processing, and may even convince iPhone users to switch to Android devices to facilitate installation of the rogue app. Victims are often told to make a small payment to “activate” their application, after which the malware silently extracts OTP codes and initiates unauthorized transfers. The bank advises anyone who has installed the app to remove it immediately, disconnect from the internet, change banking passwords using a separate device, and contact BAC A Bank or visit a branch to block electronic banking services.