Vietnam police warn of Zalo scams using deepfakes

Police authorities in Vietnam are issuing warnings regarding sophisticated fraud schemes targeting Zalo users. Criminals are utilizing AI technology, deepfakes, and stolen social media accounts to impersonate friends and relatives through video calls and messages.

In Dong Nai, police warned that scammers may use deepfake technology to mimic the voices and faces of acquaintances, creating high-pressure situations such as fake medical emergencies or urgent travel needs to solicit immediate money transfers. Signs of these scams include unnatural facial movements, desynchronized audio, or callers making excuses like “weak network” or “low battery” to avoid prolonged scrutiny.

In Phu Tho province, authorities reported a multi-step scam where attackers use accounts with names and profile pictures identical to relatives. Instead of asking for money directly, they may use indirect methods, such as asking a victim to contact a relative via Facebook to request a loan, thereby building trust before eventually directing funds to accounts controlled by the criminals. Police advise citizens not to rely solely on profile names or images and to verify identities through direct, offline communication before transferring any funds.