[REVISION HISTORY]

Vietnam fraud alerts: messaging, banking & identity scams

Updated 42 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-20 09:07 UTC → 2026-10-23 04:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Since July 2026, Vietnamese authorities have issued nationwide warnings regarding evolving fraud tactics involving messaging, banking, and government impersonation. Tactics include Caller ID spoofing, deep-fake impersonations, and malware disguised as official applications. In August 2026, new threats emerged, including phishing scams in Ca Mau where criminals impersonate banks via SMS or Zalo to claim expiring reward points. In Quang Tri, scammers used accurate personal data from online purchases to impersonate delivery drivers and demand urgent transfers. Additionally, police in Hưng Yên and Lào Cai investigated money laundering linked to Facebook livestream scams involving fake lottery games. Authorities also warned of short-duration missed calls used to harvest voice data and verify active phone numbers. By September 2026, the scope expanded to include 25 scenarios, such as fraudulent job ads and fake cryptocurrency investments. Scammers increasingly utilized AI, including Deepfake and DeepVoice technologies, to mimic relatives or officials. Specific threats emerged involving the impersonation of Vietnam Electricity (EVN) via fake websites and malicious .apk files, as well as social media hijacking in Phu Tho where criminals intercepted legitimate bank transfers by monitoring hijacked accounts. In Ca Mau, scammers exploited digital transformation processes by impersonating land administration officers to target land use certificates. ~~In mid-October~~ During September 2026, ~~focus intensified on sophisticated impersonation of the VNeID system, social insurance (BHXH), and health insurance (BHYT) beneficiaries. Fraudsters impersonate officials~~ AI-driven fraud intensified. In Quang Ngai, criminals used AI to ~~claim electronic identification files are erroneous~~ forge vehicle registration certificates for online transactions. Scammers also utilized Mid-Autumn Festival themes, sending physical parcels containing malicious QR codes to steal credentials or ~~that insurance refunds are pending.~~ install malware. In ~~Hue City,~~ Hanoi, investigators pursued the FTXF cryptocurrency scam, while police ~~reported scammers using Zalo and deepfake technology~~ in Hai Phong deployed AI to ~~mimic police uniforms, pressuring victims by claiming non-compliance will impact children’s schooling or administrative procedures.~~ analyze massive datasets to uncover illicit money flows. In late September, authorities dismantled an illegal debt collection ring in Ho Chi Minh City and an inter-provincial ring selling bank accounts in Tuyen Quang. In Phu Tho, officials were prosecuted for embezzling student meal funds.

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