Vietnam Scams: Online, Job & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams in Vietnam and how to report to the Ministry of Public Security and your bank.
Emergency number: 113 (police), 112 (emergency) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Vietnam faces significant online fraud including phishing targeting banking apps and e-wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay), fake investment platforms, task scams, and job offer scams. Vietnam is also a target country for pig-butchering and romance scams often run from regional organised crime operations across the borders in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. The Ministry of Public Security is the primary government body responsible for cybercrime, and local police (cong an) accept criminal reports.
The most feared script is the fake police call: someone claiming to be cong an, a prosecutor, or a court official says your identity or bank account is tied to a drug or money-laundering case, then pressures you — sometimes over video with uniforms and fake arrest warrants — to 'verify' your savings by transferring them or by installing a fake 'Ministry of Public Security' app that drains accounts. Real Vietnamese police summon people in writing and never handle cases by phone transfer. Account-impersonation fraud on Zalo and Facebook is the everyday equivalent: hacked or cloned accounts message friends and family asking for urgent transfers, often with a forged bank receipt as 'proof' they will repay.
Job and money-making scams recruit heavily: 'brand ambassador' and order-boosting task jobs on Telegram that require growing deposits, and overseas 'customer service' offers in Cambodia or Myanmar that turn out to be scam-compound trafficking. Investment fraud runs through fake stock and forex apps, crypto exchanges that block withdrawals, and social media 'expert' rooms. Sextortion via video calls and fake customs-fee demands on 'gifts' from online romances round out the picture. When money moves, call your bank's hotline immediately — the first hour matters — then report to your local cong an or the provincial cybercrime unit, keeping all chat logs and receipts.
Common scams
- E-wallet phishing (MoMo, ZaloPay, VNPay)
- Fake investment platforms and unlicensed crypto schemes
- Task scams paying small amounts then requiring deposits
- Fake lottery or prize notification scams
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging taxis and motorbike taxis (xe om)
- Gem, tailor, and 'special deal' commission scams
- Rigged cyclo or tour pricing
Online shopping scams
- Banking app phishing impersonating Vietcombank, BIDV, or Agribank
- Fake online retail and social media shop scams
- SIM swap and account takeover fraud
Job scams
- Task scams requiring upfront deposits to 'unlock' earnings
- Fake overseas job offers (some linked to regional scam operations)
- 'Brand ambassador' and order-boosting jobs recruited via Telegram
Romance scams
- Dating-app romance and pig-butchering crypto investment grooming
- Zalo/Facebook account impersonation asking friends for urgent transfers
- Video-call sextortion and fake customs fees on 'gifts' from abroad
Investment scams
- Fake forex, crypto, and stock-trading platforms
- Community investment Ponzi schemes
- Social media 'expert rooms' coaching deposits into rigged apps
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately to freeze the account and report the transaction
- Report to your local police (cong an) or Ministry of Public Security via bocongan.gov.vn
- Report online fraud to your provincial cybercrime police unit
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Call your bank's official hotline immediately — the number on your card, statement or app, and not one provided by the person who contacted you. Vietnamese banks can flag and attempt to hold fraudulent transactions most effectively within the first hour, so make the call before gathering paperwork. Ask for the account to be frozen and the transaction reported, say that you were deceived into authorising it, and take a reference number. If you installed any app at a caller's request — especially one claiming to be from the police or a ministry — treat the phone as compromised: stop banking on it, tell the bank malware may have captured your credentials, and reset the device before logging in again. If you shared an OTP or banking login, mention that and have it changed from a different device. Vietnamese banks now require biometric verification for larger transfers, so also report if your face data may have been captured by a fake app. Follow up with a written report to your local cong an so the freeze has a case behind it.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
How do I report a scam in Vietnam?
Report cybercrime and online fraud to your local police (cong an) or via the Ministry of Public Security portal at bocongan.gov.vn. For urgent bank fraud, contact your bank's hotline immediately.
Are task scams common in Vietnam?
Yes. Task scams — where you are paid small amounts for simple online tasks and then asked to pay a deposit to 'unlock' larger earnings — are widespread. The deposit is always stolen and the promised earnings never arrive.
Do Vietnamese police handle cases by phone or video call?
No. Real cong an issue written summonses and never demand transfers, ask you to 'verify' savings, or instruct you to install apps. Any call claiming you are involved in a criminal case and pushing you toward your bank account is a scam — hang up and report it.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance