Vietnam police warn of electricity utility impersonation scams

Police authorities in Vietnam have issued a warning regarding scammers impersonating electricity utility employees to defraud citizens. These criminals use various methods, including phone calls, text messages, and visiting homes in person to collect personal information or demand fraudulent payments.

Common tactics include claiming that customers have unpaid electricity bills, failed payments, or need to update contract information. Scammers often create a sense of urgency by threatening to disconnect power services if immediate action is not taken. This pressure is used to trick victims into providing citizen identification numbers, bank account details, or clicking on malicious links and QR codes.

In some instances, criminals have used FaceTime calls to request identification documents under the guise of contract integration. Another variation involves individuals wearing uniforms with utility logos to visit homes, claiming they need to replace or upgrade electronic meters, and then demanding fees for installation, labor, or meter costs. Authorities remind citizens that periodic meter replacements or upgrades under EVN policies do not require such payments and urge the public to verify all requests through official channels.