How can I avoid online scams?

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security recorded over 1,500 fraud cases in 2025, resulting in losses of approximately 1,600 billion VND, while the actual number is projected to be much higher.

More than 25 years after Vietnam officially connected to the global Internet (November 19, 1997), cyberspace has become an inseparable part of socio -economic life. The Internet promotes innovation, national digital transformation, and opens up countless development opportunities. However, alongside this is the rapid increase in online fraud, which is becoming increasingly sophisticated, organized, and causing serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole.

According to Mr. Than Van Dung, Product Manager for Information Security Solutions at Viettel Cyber ​​Security Co., Ltd., online fraud (phishing, scam) has become a serious problem, directly threatening users' trust in the digital space – a core element of "Digital Trust". Cybercriminals are no longer operating in a fragmented manner but have shifted to a "criminal syndicate" model, systematically organized, heavily utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), Deepfake, and modern encryption technologies.

Police in Ha Dong ward, Hanoi, have rescued a male student who was "kidnapped online." (Photo provided by Hanoi City Police.)

The numbers speak for themselves, highlighting the alarming extent of this situation. Global statistics from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance in 2025 show that 7 out of 10 adults have been exposed to scams within the past 12 months, 23% of whom have become victims, with total estimated losses reaching $442 billion.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Public Security recorded over 1,500 fraud cases in 2025, causing losses of approximately 1,600 billion VND, while the actual number is projected to be much higher. In the third quarter of 2025 alone, Viettel Threat Intelligence detected over 4,000 fraudulent domain names, primarily targeting the financial, banking, electricity, and public service sectors.

Alarmingly, scams are occurring at an increasingly rapid pace. Nearly half of the incidents happen in less than a minute, leaving victims no time to react. In addition, there are more insidious schemes, lasting for months to build trust before carrying out the scam. Common methods include impersonating government agencies, banks, and public services; making fake phone calls, sending fake text messages, and emails containing fraudulent links; and using Deepfake voices and faces of relatives to trick people into transferring money.

It's not just the elderly or children; even tech-savvy young people can fall prey to these traps. According to Mr. Ngo Tuan Anh, Chairman of ViSecurity, cybercriminals now have departments dedicated to psychological research to manipulate victims' emotions. The consequences are not only financial loss and personal data theft, but also emotional trauma, family rifts, and, more importantly, the erosion of public trust in digital services and cashless payments.

In particular, children – the future digital citizens – are facing many risks. According to Major Nguyen Van Chuyen (Department of Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention, Ministry of Public Security), 83.9% of children use mobile phones, 86.1% use social media, and 97% spend more than 4 hours online each day. The cyberspace has become a "second living space" for children, but it also harbors risks of fraud, abuse, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.

In light of this situation, authorities recommend that online fraud prevention needs to be implemented comprehensively, encompassing policies, infrastructure, and the skills of individual citizens. Decision 830/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on the National Program for the Protection and Support of Children in the Online Environment for the period 2021-2025 clearly identifies the pillars: protecting personal information; equipping individuals with digital self-defense skills; establishing channels for receiving and reporting information; and strengthening the detection and handling of violations.

From an infrastructure perspective, network operators are identified as crucial "gatekeepers." With over half of scams originating through calls, SMS, and emails, network operators play a vital role as the first line of defense by applying AI to filter and block spam calls and fraudulent messages; enhancing user authentication; and protecting SIM cards and accounts. However, as Mr. Than Van Dung emphasized, the network operators' efforts are necessary but insufficient.

To protect themselves, users need to remember these basic principles: do not provide OTP codes, passwords, or personal information to anyone; do not click on strange links; carefully check the source of the message; remain calm in the face of "urgent" requests related to money; proactively verify information through official channels. When detecting signs of fraud, immediately report it to the bank, network provider, and police to prevent it in time.

The fight against online fraud is a relentless chase between technology being abused and technology protecting people. Only through close coordination between the State, telecommunications companies, banks, digital platforms, and the public in raising awareness and self-defense skills can digital trust be strengthened, creating a solid foundation for a safe and sustainable digital society.

Thu Huong

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/lam-sao-de-tranh-lua-dao-truc-tuyen.html