Vietnam Police and Indonesian Security Firm Alert Public to Advanced Banking Scams

Security expert Triệu Vũ, founder of the Indonesian firm Bạch Mão Hội, explained how online fraudsters obtain bank account numbers, passwords and OTP codes. Common tactics include fake login alerts for services such as QQ, Apple ID or Xiaomi, impersonating bank staff, and phishing emails that appear to be order confirmations. Victims lose money when they follow instructions or open malicious attachments, and personal data is often harvested from e‑commerce sites, forums and other online services.

The police in Dan Thượng, Phú Thọ province, Vietnam issued a warning about SIM‑swap fraud, a high‑tech crime that lets attackers hijack a victim’s phone number. By collecting personal details from social media, fake calls or malicious apps, criminals request a new SIM or eSIM in the victim’s name. Once the new SIM is activated, the original SIM loses service and OTP messages are redirected to the attacker, enabling theft from bank accounts, e‑wallets, email and other online services. Authorities advise users to watch for sudden loss of signal, unexpected login or password‑reset notifications, and to act quickly if such signs appear.