Using information and real bank accounts of accommodation establishments to commit fraud
Previously, the trick of using fake social networking sites similar to the original pages of accommodation establishments but with fake information to defraud and appropriate money has caused many tourists to fall into the trap. However, nowadays, scammers have become more sophisticated when using real information of accommodation establishments to defraud.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Ms. H.T - representative of P hotel (Vung Tau ward, Ho Chi Minh City) - said that at the establishment, there have just been more than 10 cases of tourists being scammed to book rooms, but the tricks of the scammers have changed compared to the previous time.
Instead of using fake information as before, fraudsters completely use real information, including the real bank account of the accommodation establishment to create trust. After contacting and explaining, they ask victims to transfer a small amount to deposit, usually only from 500,000 VND to several million VND.
Even if the victim checks carefully, they will trust because this is real information and a transfer. Then, the fraudsters will cite a series of reasons such as: Not receiving money, transferring incorrect code, transferring money with incorrect syntax... to request a re-transfer, or payment of the remaining room fee, and inevitably to another account to appropriate.
Mr. N.D - representative of M Hotel in Vung Tau - shared that in addition, the thieves also have tricks to provide the correct information of the hotel for tourists to check and trust. But when transferring money via QR code, it is another information. If guests do not check again or lack attention, they can easily fall into the trap.
Through records, recently, some accommodation establishments in Vung Tau still have tourists being scammed into booking rooms and appropriating money by the above tricks. These cases are all refunded the money transferred to the accommodation establishment's account; and are guided to report to functional agencies.
Depending on the case, the amount of money appropriated by the thieves will be from a few million VND to tens of millions of VND. However, it is possible that the victims did not report it, because after that we did not see them invited to work or coordinate to verify and clarify" - Ms. H.T informed.
What to do to avoid scam traps
Many hotels have warned customers not to contact to book rooms through social networking sites, because they are likely to fall into the trap of fraudsters. At the same time, it is recommended that customers carefully check information, contact the phone number of the accommodation establishment to verify, and be guided on how to book rooms correctly.
We advise customers to only book rooms on reputable channels such as Agoda, Traveloka... or the facility's O.A Zalo account. At the same time, contact the facility directly to learn and be guided, thereby limiting the situation of being scammed by fraudsters" - Mr. N.D said.
In addition, most large hotels do not accept deposits, but require full payment when booking rooms; there are also no strong discounts during holidays. Therefore, guests need to be vigilant when asked to deposit or offer discounts... even if they transfer money according to the hotel's information. At the same time, accommodation establishments also advise tourists to be careful and limit receiving transfers of booked rooms (room passwords) on social networks with strangers.
Dr. Pham Ngoc Hai - Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association - shared that the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association has initially grasped information from businesses, and is requesting to provide information and evidence to collect petitions to functional agencies.
Many victims, due to fear, have not reported, leading to difficulties in conducting investigation and verification. We also hope that functional agencies will intervene soon, to avoid prolonging and repeating this fraud situation because it will affect the tourism image of the locality in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general" - Mr. Pham Ngoc Hai said.
