A 'hot' summer brings sophisticated travel scams.

Summer is peak tourist season, but it's also a time when scams increase, with increasingly sophisticated methods. From fake hotel Facebook pages to calls inviting people to participate in "appreciation" programs, many have fallen victim after just a few clicks or because they placed their trust in the wrong people.

Fake Facebook accounts on social media make it easy for users to fall victim to scams when booking hotel rooms online.

Looking for accommodation for a holiday with friends in Bai Dong, a popular tourist destination in Thanh Hoa , Ms. LTN, residing in Phan Dinh Phung ward, went online to book a room. The Facebook page “Motel Quy Trang - Bai Dong” she found displayed hotel photos, address, specific price list, and had a team of quick and professional consultants.

Without a doubt, after receiving thorough advice from the "employee," Ms. LTN transferred 1,725,000 VND as a deposit to account number 000004508078 of INFINITE VN Co., Ltd. at Vietnam Commercial Bank. However, shortly afterward, she received a notification that the "transfer was for the wrong purpose," preventing the system from confirming the booking. The person claiming to be an employee then asked her to transfer the money again, promising a full refund once both invoices were verified.

Trusting the scammer, Ms. LTN transferred the same amount a second time. However, immediately after receiving the money, the Facebook account that contacted her disappeared, all messages were blocked, and the phone number was unreachable. At this point, she realized she had fallen victim to a scam, but it was too late.

Beyond just fraudulent bookings, more sophisticated schemes are being elaborately orchestrated under the guise of "gratitude," " tourism promotion," or "free tickets."

Many people are easily fooled by the "zero-cost travel" scam.

Ms. LTH, residing in Phan Dinh Phung ward, also experienced a similar situation. One day, she received a call from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be a representative of a large travel company running a customer appreciation program. According to the invitation, she only needed to bring her citizen ID card to the hotel to attend the event, with absolutely no fees required.

The caller rattled on about the "dream" prizes for attendees: from round-trip air tickets on the Da Nang – Hanoi route, a 3-day, 2-night resort voucher, tickets for an onsen bath at OHAYO Onsen Wyndham Phu Tho, to a high-end spa skincare package. The only condition repeatedly emphasized was… simply showing up.

Suspicious of the unusual signs, Ms. LTH refused to participate. However, the phone number continued to call and text her persistently. Only after further investigation did she learn that many people who had participated in similar "zero-cost travel" programs had been lured into buying goods, signing service contracts, or had their personal information collected for illicit purposes.

Such incidents are not isolated cases. In fact, statistics from the Cyber ​​Security and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (Ministry of Public Security) show that during peak tourist season, online scams related to hotel bookings, airline ticket purchases, and "customer appreciation" gifts tend to increase significantly.

These scams all share the commonality of exploiting social media to build false trust. Facebook pages, Zalo accounts, or websites are designed to be visually appealing, using real images of famous hotels, posting complete information, and even impersonating legitimate businesses, making it easy for users to believe them. All of this targets the desire for speed, convenience, and low prices, and the user's lack of vigilance when conducting online transactions. With just one click, users not only lose money but also risk having their personal information exploited for nefarious purposes.

Given this situation, authorities advise people to absolutely refrain from transferring deposit money without thoroughly verifying the recipient's information. They should be especially wary of programs disguised as "thank you" events, "gift giveaways," or "free tickets" that require personal information, ID cards, or additional payments after participation. People should keep all evidence such as chat logs, transaction information, and transfer receipts to report to the police if necessary.

Many victims, after falling into scam traps, often blame themselves, saying, "I didn't think I'd be so naive." In reality, today's high-tech criminals not only target unsuspecting individuals but also exploit the psychology, behavior, and digital habits of people from all walks of life. Therefore, everyone needs to remain vigilant and develop critical thinking skills before accepting any offers or promises, especially those involving money and personal data.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202508/mua-he-nong-cung-cac-chieu-tro-lua-dao-du-lich-tinh-vi-3456eb8/