Warning about scams taking advantage of 2G network shutdown

It's not until September 15, 2026 that 2G will start to stop.

The roadmap for stopping 2G mobile technology in Vietnam has been announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology since 2024, based on Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT on planning the 1800 MHz band and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT on planning the 900 MHz band.

According to this roadmap, from September 16, 2024, network operators will not provide services for terminal devices that only support the GSM/2G Only standard. Exceptions include some GSM network-connected devices for transmitting and receiving data between devices and services in the Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, and DK rig areas.

However, this does not mean that the 2G network will be completely shut down from September 2024.

In the period from September 2024 to September 2026, the 2G system is still maintained but no new subscribers are developed. This network mainly continues to provide voice services for subscribers using 3G, 4G devices but not yet integrating VoLTE features. This is a transitional period before the 2G system is completely stopped.

By the end of September 15, 2026, the GSM (2G) mobile information system will continue to be used according to the roadmap. After this time, the 2G network will stop operating according to the plan, except for the cases specified for the Truong Sa, Hoang Sa and DK rig areas.

Warning about the risk of impersonating network operators to "upgrade 4G

Faced with the situation that bad actors may take advantage of the suspension of 2G network broadcasting nationwide from September 15, 2026 to defraud, appropriate property or collect and steal personal information, the Hai Phong City Police Electronic Information Portal has issued warnings and instructions for people to proactively prevent.

According to Tan Hung Ward Police (Hai Phong), subjects can impersonate network operators or functional agencies, call or send messages informing subscribers that they need to "upgrade 4G", "change SIMs", "support network conversion" to request people to provide information or perform operations according to instructions.

This is a scenario that risks creating panic because it is based on real information. People are actually facing the time when the 2G network will be stopped according to the roadmap. Therefore, fraudsters may take advantage of the lack of information or confusion between stopping 2G Only devices from 2024 and completely stopping the 2G network in 2026 to make fake requests.

Tan Hung Ward Police warn people to be especially cautious in the face of requests to provide ID card numbers, personal information, bank account information; provide OTP codes, passwords or authentication codes sent to phones.

People should also not access strange links, scan QR codes or install applications of unknown origin according to instructions from callers.

Another suspicious sign is the request to transfer money for reasons such as "subscriber verification", "SIM activation", "4G upgrade" or "conversion support".

Tan Hung Ward Police recommend that when there is a need to convert SIMs or devices from 2G to 4G/5G, people should proactively contact the network operator directly or go to the store or official transaction point for guidance.

People absolutely do not provide OTP codes, passwords, bank account information; do not access links of unknown origin and do not follow the instructions of people whose identities cannot be identified.

Network security expert Ngo Minh Hieu (Hieu PC) - Project Director for Anti-Fraudulent Fraud, member of the Vietnam National Network Security Association, said that one of the common tricks of fraudsters is to take advantage of information, policies or service changes that people are interested in to create fake scripts.

The noteworthy point is that scammers often do not need to make an unusual request from the beginning. They can start by confirming some information, then step by step guide users to perform other operations. This process makes it difficult for victims to recognize when they have switched from receiving information to following the subject's request.

According to experts, people need to be especially wary of situations that create a sense of urgency, such as notifications that services are about to be interrupted, accounts needing immediate confirmation, or requests to complete a procedure in a short time. This is a factor often used to prevent users from having enough time to verify information.