On July 9, Lao Cai Provincial Police said that Bat Xat Commune Police had just promptly prevented a cyber fraud case, helping a citizen avoid being appropriated 140 million VND.
According to the police agency, on the afternoon of July 8, Ms. N.T. N (born 1965, residing in Bat Xat commune) came to report after receiving a call from a person claiming to be an aviation security officer. The subject informed her that a large-value parcel was sent from abroad to Vietnam and asked her to transfer 140 million VND to "accomplish customs clearance procedures".
During the verification process, Bat Xat Commune Police determined that this was an organized fraud trick. Previously, the subjects used a fake Facebook account named "Philip Grr" to befriend, get acquainted and build trust with the victims.
After gaining trust, they announced that they had sent gifts from abroad to Vietnam, and at the same time staged a script of parcels being held at the airport to request victims to transfer money. The subjects continuously texted and called urging to create psychological pressure.
Functional forces said that the fraud group also used AI technology and automatic translation software to exchange with victims, creating fake situations to manipulate psychology and appropriate property.
Notably, in the messages, many unusual words appeared such as: "Have you borrowed 140 million dollars yet?" instead of "140 million VND". This is one of the signs that the subjects are likely operating from abroad.
Thanks to being regularly propagated about online fraud tricks, Ms. N.T. N took the initiative to go to the police agency to verify before carrying out the transaction. After being explained, she stopped all contacts with the subjects and did not transfer money.
Lao Cai Provincial Police recommends that people not trust acquaintances through social networks who promise gifts or transfer valuable assets; absolutely do not transfer money when the identity of the requester and the legality of the transaction have not been clearly verified.
When receiving calls or messages with signs of requesting money transfer, threats or suspicion of fraud, people need to remain calm, stop contacting and immediately report to the nearest police agency for guidance and timely handling support.
