Impersonating transportation companies and police officers to steal property.
Taking advantage of the fear of tickets selling out during Tet (Lunar New Year), these individuals created numerous fake social media accounts impersonating bus companies and ticket offices to post information about reasonably priced intercity tickets, requesting people to transfer deposit money to reserve seats.
Through monitoring online activities, the Quang Khe Commune Police ( Lam Dong province) discovered numerous Facebook accounts such as "Van Minh Bus Company", "Ticket Management Office", "Viet Hung Bus Company", "Hai Dinh Bus Company", etc., showing signs of fraud.
The scammers' tactics are not new, but they exploit people's complacency. After exchanging messages, they request a deposit or full payment for tickets to "reserve a seat," then immediately block all communication.
Through investigative measures, authorities have determined that at least two residents in the commune are victims of this type of scam.
Based on the collected documents, the Quang Khe Commune Police reported to the Provincial Police leadership and coordinated with the Criminal Police Department, the Cyber Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department to verify and clarify the matter.
On January 14, 2026, the Lam Dong Provincial Police, in coordination with the Hanoi City Police, summoned a group of suspects including Tran Ngoc Hoan (born in 2001), Dao Duc Duy (born in 1996), and Vu Quang Huy (born in 2000), all residing in Hung Yen province and renting a house in Hanoi to commit crimes.
Initial investigations revealed that this group created numerous fake accounts, using disposable SIM cards and bank accounts not registered in their names to receive deposits, defrauding hundreds of victims nationwide of over 200 million VND. Authorities have seized many phones, computers, disposable SIM cards, and related documents to aid in the investigation.
Not only did the impersonation of transportation companies occur, another incident in the province shows that the methods of these individuals are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Taking advantage of the increased demand for goods during the Lunar New Year, Nguyen Tri Thien (28 years old, residing in Ho Chi Minh City) impersonated an officer from the Economic Police Department (C03) – Ministry of Public Security, fabricating a story about a shipment of cheap imported liquor being liquidated at Saigon port.
Thien suggested that the victim pay a deposit to "reserve the goods." To build trust, the suspect even sent photos of imported liquor at a shopping mall to the victim. More cunningly, Thien ordered police uniforms online and wore them to meet the victim to create a cover. Trusting his title and appearance, the victim transferred money and gave him cash multiple times, totaling over 131 million VND. Only when the victim discovered that no liquor was delivered as promised did he report the incident to the authorities. The Xuan Huong Ward Police in Da Lat quickly intervened, detaining the suspect for investigation and processing according to regulations.
These cases demonstrate that fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, readily impersonating agencies, organizations, and even law enforcement officials to gain trust and thereby steal property.
Increase vigilance and proactively prevent problems early and from afar.
In reality, the end of the year is a time when fraudsters increase their activity. Besides selling cheap bus tickets, plane tickets, and tour packages, these fraudsters also use various tactics such as announcing prize winnings, sending online lucky money, impersonating banks or government agencies to request information verification, and sending fake links to steal bank accounts and e-wallets.
If users carelessly provide their OTP codes, passwords, or access links from unknown sources, fraudsters can take control of their accounts and withdraw all their money in a short time. In many cases, after stealing the money, the perpetrators continue to use the victim's account to scam friends and relatives, causing chain reactions of losses.
In light of this situation, the Lam Vien Ward Police in Da Lat and other relevant agencies advise citizens to be more vigilant, especially in online transactions. When needing to purchase bus tickets, plane tickets, or tour packages for the Tet holiday, people should choose official channels and reputable agencies; absolutely do not transfer money without clearly verifying the seller's information.
People should absolutely not provide personal information, OTP codes, or bank account passwords to anyone; and should not access strange links sent via text messages or social media.
Lam Vien Ward Police Station – Da Lat
For loan needs, people should seek out legitimate credit institutions licensed by the State; they should avoid borrowing money through apps or advertisements of unknown origin. If they detect any suspicious signs or become victims of fraud, they should promptly report it to the nearest police station for guidance, support, and legal action.
Lunar New Year is a time for family reunions, but it is also a sensitive period for security and public order. The proactive approach and vigilance of each citizen is a crucial "shield" in preventing crime and ensuring that people can enjoy a safe, peaceful, and fulfilling spring season.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/canh-giac-thu-doan-lua-dao-dip-tet-nguyen-dan-424134.html
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