Fraud on the pain of compatriots
To prepare for a plan to support people in Yen Bai province who suffered heavy losses due to floods, the volunteer group of Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Thao (Hanoi) went online to buy necessities such as instant noodles, dried food, instant sausages and some medical supplies. As soon as Ms. Thao's post was posted, a Facebook account claimed to be an intermediary, specializing in providing necessities at prices less than half the market price. This person's Facebook also posted a series of charity trips, volunteering...
Without any suspicion, Ms. Thao used her personal money to transfer 17 million VND (one-third of the total order value as a deposit) to the subject. However, on September 13, when the goods were transported to the collection point, the driver did not hand over the goods because the buyer had not transferred the money. At that time, they learned that the intermediary seller had only placed the order without transferring the money to the agent.
In Quang Ninh, the province suffered heavy losses in human lives and property caused by storm No. 3, a fake fanpage impersonating the Quang Ninh Red Cross Society to fraudulently call for donations and support for people affected by storm No. 3 was created. The Department of Information and Communications of Quang Ninh has warned about the situation of a fake fanpage impersonating the Quang Ninh Red Cross Society to fraudulently call for donations to support people in the storm area.
After the collapse of Phong Chau bridge in Tam Nong district, Phu Tho province, which left many people missing, a fake fanpage of Lam Thao district Fatherland Front Committee appeared on social media to scam people by calling for donations and support for families affected by the Phong Chau bridge collapse. The leader of Lam Thao district Fatherland Front (Phu Tho province) later spoke up to confirm that the information calling for support for people affected by the Phong Chau bridge collapse on the fanpage was incorrect.
Up to this point, floods caused by storm No. 3 have caused severe damage to the mountainous province of Lao Cai. Initial damage is estimated at over 3,235 billion VND.
Currently, some unverified information is appearing on social networks regarding calling for support and transferring money to personal accounts to support Lao Cai people affected by storm No. 3. On September 16, the Department of Information and Communications issued Document No. 1256 / STTTT-TTBCXB on being vigilant against scams on social networks calling for support for people affected by storm No. 3.
What can be done for flood victims?
Speaking with Lao Dong, Dr. Nguyen Nga Huyen - Journalism and communication expert, Hanoi National University - commented that at a time when many people are facing hardships like now in the northern mountainous provinces, fraud and profiteering show the moral decay and defiance of the law by those people.
"It takes a very insensitive and inhumane person to embezzle money meant to save lives, or to take advantage of people's kindness and mutual love for their own benefit. Such acts, regardless of their motives, must be strongly condemned and dealt with by the most deterrent measures," said Dr. Nguyen Nga Huyen.
The expert said that people should support and donate to victims of natural disasters and floods in two ways. The most practical way to help people in flood-affected areas is to donate money to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, or through mass organizations, newspapers, and residential groups. Second, people can donate necessities according to specific and trustworthy calls from the State or from a reputable organization/collective/individual with experience in relief, receiving donations and declaring them clearly and professionally.
