Identifying methods and tricks of subjects impersonating shippers to commit fraud
Recently, many cases of fraud have occurred in localities to appropriate property by impersonating shippers. In response to this reality, the Ministry of Public Security has pointed out the tricks and methods of this type of crime and advised people on how to recognize them so they can proactively prevent themselves from being scammed by bad actors.
Common methods of trickery
According to the Ministry of Public Security, currently, subjects impersonating shippers to defraud and appropriate property use the following methods and tricks:
- Fraudsters collect and sell data of people who frequently shop online, then impersonate shippers to call to notify of delivery at times when the victims are usually not home, and send transfer information to request payment.
Then, they notify that they have not received the money, trick the victim into continuing to transfer money or send a message informing that the victim has registered for a certain service package, with a fee of 2-10 million VND/month and instruct the victim to continue transferring money to cancel the service package... to appropriate the money.
- Fraudsters impersonate shippers to deliver goods (mostly fake, cheap or worthless goods inside), request payment in advance or payment upon delivery but do not allow inspection of goods.
- Fraudsters approach livestreaming sales channels, approach customers who order online, request order verification on fake websites or request to download delivery tracking apps to take control of phones and steal money in bank accounts.
- Subjects call impersonating delivery shippers to collect people's personal information, using it for other fraudulent methods and tricks.
How to avoid falling into the “trap” of fake shippers:
To help people be more vigilant and avoid falling into the traps and scams of impersonating shippers, the Ministry of Public Security recommends that people who often shop online:
- Always check the order carefully, confirm with the sender before paying. If you do not order, refuse to receive and do not pay.
- Request to check the goods before payment. If the shipper refuses, please contact the seller or the shipping unit's hotline immediately.
- Only pay when the item is exactly what you ordered, check the quality of the item, you should pay directly to the seller or through digital trading platforms. Check your account information carefully before transferring money. Do not scan QR codes from unknown sources.
- Absolutely do not provide personal information or bank account information to strangers or people impersonating shippers (legitimate shippers always have customer information on the order).
- In case of suspicion of fraudulent property appropriation, promptly report to the nearest police agency for reception, and proactively keep the contents of the exchange between you and the fraudster to provide to the police agency to serve the investigation. (take photos of text messages, call recordings, transfer statements...).
