Warning about counterfeit MobiFone scratch cards on the market.

Currently, counterfeit scratch cards are being smuggled into the market from China. These cards cannot be used to top up accounts like genuine cards and can cause users to lose money unnecessarily, MobiFone warns.

Users need to deposit money at the point of purchase to ensure the funds have been credited to their account.

Previously, on January 18, 2014, the Mong Cai Border Gate Customs Branch (Quang Ninh) seized a shipment of 24,900 scratch cards printed with the MobiFone logo, illegally transported from China through the border gate into Vietnam. The Customs Branch stated that the owner of the shipment fled immediately afterward. The Customs Branch contacted MobiFone to verify and investigate the case.

Responding to the press, a representative from MobiFone confirmed that the network had conducted checks with the manufacturers regarding the aforementioned batch of cards and affirmed that these cards were counterfeit. Typically, each scratch card issued by MobiFone has a serial number and 12-digit code covered in silver foil. These 12-digit codes are only valid for one top-up transaction and cannot be counterfeited. This means that only genuine cards can be used to top up accounts, while counterfeit cards cannot.

Immediately afterwards, MobiFone issued a notice to its branches, agents, and retail outlets to warn about the risk of counterfeit scratch cards, clearly instructing agents and retail outlets not to purchase top-up cards of unknown origin or without invoices and supporting documents.

This network provider also advises users to only purchase scratch cards from official MobiFone stores and agents, reputable retail outlets, and to obtain a purchase receipt. When buying a card, users should carefully check that the silver coating covering the 12-digit recharge code is intact. Customers should not accept cards with scratched silver coatings covering the recharge code, and after purchasing, they should top up their account immediately at the point of purchase to ensure that the money is credited to their account.

In case of discovering a counterfeit scratch card, users should immediately report it to MobiFone stores or call the MobiFone hotline at 18001090 (free of charge) or 9090 (free of charge for postpaid subscribers and 200 VND/minute for prepaid subscribers) for guidance on how to handle the situation.

According to Vietnam.net