Safer Internet Day 2025, observed in approximately 170 countries on February 11, 2025, highlights the importance of online security. On this occasion, Google shared recent advancements in its fraud protection features, including the enhanced Google Play Protect. This security update was launched in Vietnam in late December 2024 in collaboration with the Vietnam Authority of Information Security (AIS). Within just over a month, Play Protect safeguarded more than 360,000 devices from over 1.5 million risky installations and 8,000 malicious applications in Vietnam.

For years, Google has enhanced its Google Search feature with “About This Result,” helping users verify website sources. By clicking the three-dot menu next to a search result, users can access additional background information for verification.

To support Safer Internet Day 2025 and help users stay safe online, IVB’s Security Department – IT Division has compiled and shared "5 Common Scam Tactics and Safety Tips" to raise awareness of digital threats.

5 Common Scam Tactics

1. Exploiting Major Events

Scammers take advantage of high-profile events and use artificial intelligence (AI) to create sophisticated scams. These include selling fake tickets or impersonating charities during concerts, sports events, cultural festivals, and even natural disasters. The sense of urgency surrounding these events often leads people to act quickly, creating opportunities for fraud.

Google’s Measures:
Google enhances monitoring and enforcement during crises and major events, applying special policies to Google Ads, Shopping, YouTube monetization, and Play Store. These policies prohibit the exploitation of sensitive events for financial gain.

Safety Tip:

• Only purchase tickets and donate through official channels.
• Verify charities and check URLs before clicking.
• Use Google Search’s “About This Result” feature to assess website credibility.

2. AI-Generated Celebrity Investment Scams

Scammers leverage AI to create fake videos and images of celebrities endorsing fraudulent investment schemes. These deepfakes, combined with fabricated news articles and social media posts, often promote illegitimate investment opportunities, especially in cryptocurrency and trading platforms. The combination of influential figures, professional-looking content, and promises of high returns makes these scams highly convincing.

Google’s Measures:
In 2024, Google updated its Misrepresentation Policy to address celebrity impersonation scams in Google Ads. YouTube also enforces strict policies against impersonation and manipulated content that misleads users. Additionally, Google is developing tools like SynthID to detect AI-generated content.

Safety Tip:

• Be skeptical of investment advice from celebrities on social media.
• Look for unnatural facial expressions in videos.
• If an investment sounds too good to be true, it likely is a scam.

3. Fake Travel and E-Commerce Scams

Fraudsters create fake websites that mimic legitimate shopping, travel, and retail platforms. They lure victims with extremely attractive prices for luxury goods, concert tickets, and travel deals. These fake sites often look nearly identical to real ones, using techniques like cloaking to hide fraudulent activities while pressuring users with limited-time offers.

Google’s Measures:
Google continuously scans and removes deceptive websites that engage in impersonation and cloaking. Businesses are encouraged to complete Advertiser Verification to authenticate their identity and ensure transparency.

Safety Tip:

• Verify websites before making purchases, especially during sales.
• Check URLs, security features, and be cautious of low prices and urgent purchase prompts.
• Use Google’s “About This Result” feature to assess unfamiliar websites.
• Report suspicious ads via My Ad Center.

4. Tech Support Scams

Scammers impersonate IT support staff from banks, government agencies, and tech companies. They create fake emergency situations—such as security breaches—using technical jargon to sound credible. These scams often involve spoofed caller IDs and well-scripted dialogues. Some even target seniors by posing as well-known tech companies, while others deceive younger audiences through gaming platforms. Their ultimate goal is to trick victims into installing remote-access software, allowing them to control devices, steal data, and execute unauthorized transactions.

Google’s Measures:
Google proactively blocks suspicious tech support websites and ads. Google Messages now alerts users to unusual activity. Additionally, Safe Browsing technology warns users about harmful websites and downloads.

Safety Tip:

• Never grant remote access to unknown accounts.
• Legitimate companies will not initiate unsolicited tech support calls.
• Contact companies only through official channels.
• Strengthen security with Two-Step Verification, passkeys, or a password manager.

5. Job Scams

These scams target job seekers looking for remote or international opportunities with high salaries. Fraudsters post fake job listings on reputable websites and social media, conduct professional-looking video interviews, and simulate onboarding processes—often impersonating international companies in cryptocurrency or digital marketing. Victims may be asked to pay upfront fees or unknowingly participate in money laundering activities, leading to legal consequences.

Google’s Measures:
Google’s AI-driven security systems detect and block fake job ads before they reach users.

Safety Tip:

• Verify job postings through company websites.
• Be cautious of offers requiring upfront payments.
• Research employers and report suspicious listings.