Vietnam holiday‑contract scam implicates thousands, raises refund questions

Vietnamese police in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have opened dozens of criminal cases linked to a large‑scale “holiday‑contract” fraud. Authorities have charged about 200 suspects across more than 20 firms, seizing 5,563 contracts in the south and investigating roughly 17,000 contracts nationwide, with an estimated loss of VND 2.7 trillion.

Legal experts say that buyers whose contracts have not yet been declared illegal may still obtain refunds in limited circumstances—such as voluntary contract termination, settlement before trial, or a court finding the agreement void due to fraud. However, refunds are not guaranteed if the transaction is deemed lawful.

Investigators also uncovered that the scams relied on illicit personal‑data sourcing. Telesales staff used purchased customer databases to target potential victims, offering free trips as bait before pushing travel‑card sales. Lawyers note that the perpetrators often argue the deals are merely civil matters, attempting to avoid criminal prosecution.

The police continue to expand the probe, focusing on the origin of the data and the networks behind the fraudulent operators, while urging victims to report their cases to protect their rights.