Warning about deepfake scams using fake voices and impersonations of acquaintances during Tet (Lunar New Year).

Before the Lunar New Year of 2026, deepfake scams impersonating familiar voices and images are rampant. Experts warn of the risk of losing money after just one seemingly familiar phone call.

The risk of forming a "criminal economy "

In the context of rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, cybercrime and high-tech crime are not only increasing in sophistication but also expanding across borders, becoming a global challenge to information security and safety. In Vietnam, the end of the year and the Lunar New Year continue to be the "peak season" for online scams.

The surge in deepfake technology during the Lunar New Year of 2026 by cybercriminals is escalating dangerously.

According to Mr. Vu Duy Hien, Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Office of the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), looking back at the period 2024–2025, a worrying paradox can be seen: the number of detected fraud cases tends to decrease, but the level of danger of the schemes has clearly increased.

The NCA's summary report shows that this result was achieved thanks to the decisive involvement of relevant agencies, especially the Ministry of Public Security and the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (Department A05), through strong propaganda and suppression campaigns. However, criminals have quickly "upgraded" their tactics, shifting from simple phone calls and text messages to deeply exploiting AI technology.

"Cybercriminals are now using artificial intelligence to fake images, voices, and even videos , making it very difficult for victims to distinguish between real and fake. Scams using AI and deepfakes have risen to the number one position on the list of the most dangerous scam methods in 2025," Mr. Vu Duy Hien emphasized.

From a state management perspective, Lieutenant Colonel Le Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of Department 5, Bureau A05 (Ministry of Public Security), warned of the risk of forming a "criminal economy" as transnational criminal organizations increasingly infiltrate legitimate economic sectors, concentrating their activities in border areas or special economic zones.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Le Thanh Binh, Vietnam currently has over 101 million people, of which nearly 79.8 million use the internet, accounting for about 78% of the population; more than 76 million use social media and there are about 127 million mobile connections, equivalent to 126% of the population. This is both an advantage for the development of the digital economy and a huge challenge in ensuring cybersecurity.

"Online scams are becoming increasingly complex, occurring in many areas such as finance, e-commerce, and job placement, causing significant economic losses and public outrage," Lieutenant Colonel Le Thanh Binh stated.

Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security show that in 2025 alone, law enforcement agencies detected more than 4,200 online fraud cases, with total estimated losses exceeding 8,000 billion VND. The perpetrators constantly change their methods, operate professionally, and collaborate with and learn from international criminal gangs.

The FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) mentality during Tet – a "fatal weakness"

Cybercriminals not only rely on technology but also thoroughly exploit psychological factors, especially during the Lunar New Year holiday. Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), and expert at the Vietnam-France Institute of Psychology, believes that FOMO (fear of missing out) and information overload at the end of the year easily create "cognitive blind spots."

Cyberattacks increase during the Lunar New Year holiday with increasingly sophisticated scenarios.

According to Mr. Nam, common scams often exploit emotions and create time pressure, such as announcing prize winnings, "shocking" promotions, year-end thank-you gifts, urgent money transfers, or urgent transaction confirmations. When victims prioritize speed over verification, the risk of falling into the trap is very high.

"Hermit mentality, blind trust in fake 'evidence' on social media, coupled with a lack of critical thinking and digital financial skills, makes many people, especially young people, targets of high-tech scams," Associate Professor Tran Thanh Nam analyzed.

In response to the wave of scams using AI and deepfakes, the National Cybersecurity Association advises people to change their digital interaction habits.

Firstly, images, voices, and videos are no longer reliable sources for identity verification. Any requests for money transfers or personal information, even those made under the guise of acquaintances or superiors, must be verified through a secondary channel.

Secondly, deepfakes often come with a time-pressure scenario. Stopping, verifying information through official sources, or contacting the relevant parties directly is crucial to reducing risk.

Thirdly, protecting personal data is a vital requirement, because deepfakes are only effective when "fed" with real data. Carelessly sharing images, voice recordings, and personal information on social media can inadvertently facilitate impersonation.

Fourth, all financial transactions must be conducted through official channels. People should absolutely not transfer money based on individual instructions, outside the official system, or through links of unknown origin.

According to Department A05, before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, in addition to familiar scams such as impersonating tourism services, train and bus tickets, and year-end customer appreciation events, people need to be especially vigilant against variations of scams combining deepfake and deepvoice techniques.

After gaining control of a social media account, hackers will make fake video calls impersonating relatives to borrow money or request urgent transfers, creating a sense of absolute trust.

When noticing suspicious signs or becoming a victim, people should quickly report it to the nearest police station for timely assistance and handling.

In the "age of AI," where "seeing and hearing" are no longer guarantees of truth, experts suggest that everyone needs to equip themselves with a "safety filter": slow down, verify, and protect personal data. This is also the most practical way to have a peaceful Lunar New Year online.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/canh-bao-lua-dao-deepfake-gia-giong-gia-hinh-nguoi-quen-dip-tet-20260205193329534.htm