Family – a stronghold against scams.

The elderly and young children are vulnerable groups, easily exploited and directly affected by the increasing number of fraudulent activities today. To promptly detect and rescue these vulnerable individuals from the "maze" of counterfeit goods, we need the joint efforts of specialized authorities and the dedication of families.

Consumers choose to buy various food items at MM Mega Market supermarket chain in Ho Chi Minh City.

Losing money and getting long-term health problems.

Ms. Ngoc Lan, residing in Cho Lon ward (Ho Chi Minh City), recounted that the mother-in-law of a colleague had just received a phone call from a "fake police officer" informing her that she was involved in a money laundering and drug trafficking ring. The caller demanded that she not tell her children or grandchildren and transfer hundreds of millions of dong from her savings account (which she had truthfully disclosed to the scammer) for verification. If the money was legitimate and not related to any criminal activity, it would be returned. Terrified and sleepless, she secretly went to the bank the next day to withdraw the money. Fortunately, a bank employee discovered the theft and promptly reported it to the police, saving her from the scam.

However, not everyone is so lucky. A young female worker in Dong Nai reported to authorities that she had deposited money online to receive part-time work from a (fictitious) travel agency in Ho Chi Minh City. They tricked her into depositing money multiple times, totaling nearly 250 million VND, while the nominal profit of over 50 million VND remained unwithdrawn. Afterward, the scammers deleted the account and disappeared. The profit vanished, but the mounting debt she was left with was real.

A nutritionist in Ho Chi Minh City angrily shared on social media the story of her aunt being scammed. Her aunt, retired for decades and living in the countryside, has a comfortable financial situation, so her house is always stocked with milk and nutritional supplements. Ironically, the more milk she consumed, the more she showed signs of Alzheimer's disease (dementia). After examining several cartons of milk, the doctor discovered that the nutrient content was deficient, not as advertised, and showed signs of being counterfeit. Clearly, not only did her aunt lose money on fake milk, but she also spent a lot on treatment due to years of dependence on milk of unknown origin. "Elderly people are easily hurt, and those selling nutritional supplements often exploit this to manipulate them. They approach and talk to the elderly, who are completely unsuspecting and readily buy to support them," the doctor shared.

Accompanying loved ones

According to many experts, the role of family members is crucial; they act as the glue that binds family ties, detecting abnormalities in parents, children, and individual members. Modern life is so busy with many worries that family bonds are weaker, making it easier for criminals to exploit them and commit fraud. For example, the aunt of the doctor mentioned above had successful children who worked far away, leaving everything to their housekeeper. Because of loneliness, she sought out sellers of fake health supplements and milk products because they spoke very well and seemed to care for the elderly. By the time she realized she had been scammed, it was too late. Similarly, the case of the factory worker in Dong Nai is another example. This young mother, raising a small child and facing financial difficulties, needed extra work and fell into a scam.

Furthermore, the phenomenon of celebrities promoting counterfeit products (such as milk that supposedly helps children gain weight, increase height, and stimulate appetite) is rampant on social media. Trusting these individuals, many parents enthusiastically support them. When authorities uncover the truth, many young mothers are left heartbroken, thinking, "I have harmed my child."

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hong, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Consumer Rights Protection Association and General Director of Vina CHG Company, stated that current fraud schemes are multifaceted, including transnational "corporations" operating from East to West. Without caution, anyone can become a victim. In this context, families and relatives should connect and share information to be vigilant and prevent fraudulent activities. Besides the efforts of authorities, the family is also the most important bulwark in protecting loved ones from external threats.

According to information from the Ministry of Public Security , online fraud is currently on the rise again. Some common fraudulent schemes include: impersonating educational institutions; collecting "suspended" funds; payment for services; online shopping and travel; impersonating police officers, prosecutors, and judges; and emotional scams for financial gain. Victims are mainly individuals who lack preparedness and are not well-informed about social issues.

GIA HAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/gia-dinh-thanh-tri-truc-bay-lua-dao-post807646.html