Strict measures will be taken to crack down on fraudulent text messages during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The Ministry of Information and Communications announced that it has taken further stringent measures to strengthen the blocking of spam and scam messages during the 2012 Tet holiday and other festivals.

Specifically, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Bac Son issued Directive No. 04/CT-BTTTT on December 30, 2011, requesting the intensification of propaganda to raise public awareness; and the inspection and handling of individuals who spread spam and fraudulent messages.

A type of scam message targeting consumers. (Photo: TH/Vietnam+)

Accordingly, from now until January 9th, mobile telecommunications companies must send text messages to all subscribers on their network with the following content: “DN warns against spam messages: To avoid being SCAMMED and losing money unintentionally, when using services via SMS, please carefully check the CHARGES and SERVICES.” “DN” is the name of the mobile telecommunications company (VinaPhone, MobiFone, Viettel, etc.). After this deadline, this texting must be done regularly.

In addition, inspection and monitoring will be intensified. Organizations, individuals, and businesses that exploit the holiday season to spread spam and fraudulent messages for personal gain or deception will be inspected immediately after the Lunar New Year.

[Spamming will be fined up to 50 million VND]

In fact, over the past period, many mobile subscribers have regularly received advertising messages from prepaid mobile numbers.

These messages often contain content related to fortune telling, gambling, lottery, or have fraudulent characteristics such as prize winning announcements, gift giveaways, free GPRS setup, etc. However, when mobile subscribers text the numbers indicated, they are charged extra.

Besides businesses and authorities working together to combat spam messages, the Ministry of Information and Communications also advises people to be vigilant and not reply to or follow instructions from messages of unknown origin, containing advertisements, solicitations, or impersonation.

In particular, users should not text service numbers that provide content via SMS if they do not clearly understand or are unsure about the service and its pricing.

According to VNA/News