In recent times, online fraud schemes have become increasingly sophisticated and diverse, often involving requests for customers to download fake apps impersonating government agencies such as Public Services, Tax Departments, Ministry of Public Security, etc., through websites or links disguised to resemble official app stores like the Play Store (for Android) and the App Store (for IOS). Alternatively, customers may be asked to provide personal information and security details (Internet Banking/Mobile Banking passwords, OTP authentication codes, etc.) to illicitly access their electronic banking accounts, seizing control to steal funds or requesting transfers to complete transactions such as purchases, fees, etc.

1. Impersonation

• Impersonating the Bank: Fraudsters impersonate the bank to notify customers of winning prizes or receiving gifts from promotional programs. They may claim there are transactions deducting money from the bank account, transactions involving blocked fund transfers, or requests for additional information. They may also warn of potential risks of monetary loss due to errors or incidents in the bank account, or send links via text messages requesting service activation. These fraudsters request customers to provide personal information, security details (such as usernames, passwords, OTP...), aiming to steal information and execute transactions to steal money from the customer's account.
• Impersonating a relative: After gaining the right to log in to the victim's social network account (Facebook, Zalo, etc.), the fraudster will text relatives, friends, colleagues, etc… to ask to borrow money and request urgent money transfer. Or the scammer will use Deepfake technology (face and voice impersonation using artificial intelligence) to pretend to be a relative of the victim and request money transfer in emergency situations such as: accident, hospital...
• Impersonating a State agency: Subject impersonating an investigation agency, tax, social insurance, electricity company... calls, texts to inform the victim of involvement in a crime line, tax debt, and electricity bill. …from there request to transfer money to serve the investigation or transfer money to pay the fee.
• Impersonating a company employee to send gifts to thank customers and win prizes: The subject calls the Customer to inform them about the valuable gift that the Customer won. To receive gifts, customers must pay fees, taxes or click on the link to confirm gift receipt information.

2. Online shopping fraud

• Fraudsters set up websites impersonating e-commerce platforms in Vietnam, with online payment links with banks, then they sent links to access these fraudulent websites via private message SMS, email... or phone calls to instruct customers to transact on fake pages with the purpose of stealing card information, account information, login password, OTP authentication code to make misappropriated transactions. Customer's money is in the card as well as the account.

These fraudulent tricks all target customers' psychology such as being threatened, causing confusion, being in an emergency situation or wanting to win prizes/receive gifts. To ensure your account is safe and secure, you should note:

• DO NOT access and conduct financial transactions on strange links or websites received via phone, text message, or email without a clear address or brand.
• DO NOT provide any personal information (login name, account number, password, OTP code, ID card...) to anyone.
• In case of suspicion or detection of fraud, you need to quickly block the e-Banking service and contact the Hotline 1900 5888 79 for support.

Wishing you a safe experience when using IVB products and services!