Impersonating fanpages and websites to scam consumers

Recently, many consumers have unexpectedly received text messages and phone calls informing them of winning prizes and "thank you" gifts from a number of familiar brands including phones, watches, discount coupons... with a total value of 3-5 million VND.

The way it works makes many people fall into the trap.

Ms. Ngan Tram (Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City) said she received a call from an unknown phone number informing her that she would be given an iPhone as part of the loyalty program of Mobile World (TGDD). She only needed to follow simple procedures as instructed to receive the gift.

Some units' fanpages are faked, launching programs to deceive users.

"I heard about the scam, tried to contact them and was instructed to pay 10% tax via bank transfer to receive the gift. They said the iPhone I would receive was priced at 5 million so I had to pay 500,000 VND in tax."

Ms. Tram carefully called the TGDĐ switchboard and was confirmed that there was no such program, but many people found it reasonable and fell into the trap.

The "movement" grew so popular that a few days ago, a fake fanpage named "Social Work Department of Children's Hospital 1" appeared with the purpose of asking for money and calling for contributions from benefactors.

Even a fake fanpage impersonating the "Central Propaganda Department of the Communist Party of Vietnam" was created (has been deleted) with many false articles to intentionally orient public opinion. Many banks were also set up by bad actors with fake fanpages to scam users...

Regarding FPT Shop, the representative of this system also said that from the beginning of December 2018 until now, there have been many cases of customers suddenly coming to FPT Shop (District 5, Ho Chi Minh City) requesting to receive iPhones because they had ordered and transferred money in advance on the website with the address of import...

According to FPT Shop representative, hundreds of customers have been scammed.

"The owner of the website nhapkhau... has impersonated the business location of FPT Shop. We have filed a complaint with the authorities, requesting them to investigate, verify, clarify and handle it according to the law" - FPT Shop representative informed.

According to information from the Department of Competition Management and Consumer Protection (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the increasingly common situation is that consumers have their rights violated when transacting with individuals and organizations via social networks such as Facebook, Zalo...

According to the Department of Competition Management and Consumer Protection, reputable and licensed websites will have clear contact information (such as address, phone number, tax code...).

They can only contact the seller by phone or via social networks. After paying, the consumer does not receive the goods or receives a completely different product than advertised (for example, buying a phone but receiving a box containing a brick...). The seller immediately blocks the buyer's phone and Facebook...

Even when a large number of consumers complain or the management agency gets involved, the seller gives up their phone number, Facebook account...

According to the Department of Competition Management and Consumer Protection, reputable and licensed websites will have clear contact information (such as address, phone number, tax code...).

People need to be wary of websites/social media accounts that advertise products and services at very low prices or with big promotions, as well as asking consumers to provide information and share the program.

In particular, be wary of announcements about winning a prize but having to pay a small amount of tax or winning a voucher to buy the company's products.