Online kidnapping tricks targeting young people

Despite repeated warnings from authorities, cases of “online kidnapping” and sophisticated fraud targeting students and adults continue to appear in many provinces and cities across the country. What is worrying is that not only gullible people but also tech-savvy young people can become victims.

Recently, many cases of “online kidnapping” have been recorded in localities. The common point is that the subjects impersonate investigative agencies, make video calls via applications such as Zalo, Zoom..., threaten the victims and ask them to “cooperate in the investigation”.

A typical case was just rescued by the Tuong Mai Ward Police ( Hanoi ). The victim is NVN (born in 2007, in Hai Phong, currently a university student at Hanoi). The subject wore a police uniform, called via Zalo, presented his "industry card", and then threatened N. that he was involved in a money laundering ring. Out of fear, the victim followed the request, texted her family that she was "kidnapped" and demanded a ransom of 450 million VND. The subjects even instructed N. to rent a motel, move around constantly and book a plane ticket to Ho Chi Minh City, in order to completely isolate herself from her family. Fortunately, the police force promptly discovered, tracked down and rescued her.

The police of Ha Dong ward, Hanoi city have just rescued a male student who was kidnapped. — Police in Ha Dong Ward, Hanoi City have just rescued a male student who was "kidnapped online". Photo provided by Hanoi City Police

Lieutenant Colonel Le Trong Ngoc, Tuong Mai Ward Police, said: “The subjects are now much more sophisticated. They do not leave the victims in one place but constantly ask them to move to avoid detection. Anyone can become a victim, especially students, students, and those who regularly use social networks but lack the skills to identify risks and prevent online fraud.”

Hanoi City Police have pointed out that a typical "online kidnapping" scam scenario has a 5-step formula, including: Collecting personal information, psychologically attacking, isolating the victim, appropriating property and erasing traces. The method of implementation is usually to wear uniforms impersonating authorities and making accusations about the victim being involved in serious cases such as money laundering, drug trafficking, tax evasion... From there, leading the victim to move to secret places, such as: motels, hotels, demanding to cut off all contact, threatening to keep absolute secrecy with the family, creating time pressure "must resolve today"... Then, instructing the victim to create traces of being assaulted and make calls according to the instructions of the scammer. Worryingly, the tools and utilities of artificial intelligence technology used by criminals such as simulating human faces, cloning voices, creating fake evidence... are all very cheap and easily accessible, causing the number of people using artificial intelligence to commit crimes to increase rapidly.

On social networks, many people ask why students, who have access to a lot of information, are so easily deceived? According to Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Phung Van Ha, lecturer at the Criminal Police Department, People's Police Academy: "The subjects often impersonate law enforcement agencies, police, prosecutors, and courts. But I affirm that the police never work through social networks. When receiving such information, people must stay calm, contact the authorities or family directly to verify, and absolutely not panic or follow the subject's instructions. "Online kidnapping" hits directly at the element of fear and information isolation. When forced into a seemingly serious situation and banned from contact, young people easily lose the ability to analyze logic. In particular, obedient students who trust people in authority are more likely to become ideal victims because they tend to obey instructions."

To help identify the risks of psychological manipulation and online fraud on social networking platforms, Hanoi City Police advise people, especially young people, to always practice "3 no's": Don't believe quickly - don't act quickly - don't reveal. To avoid becoming a victim, everyone needs to stay calm when receiving any threatening messages or calls; practice the habit of doubting the authenticity of information, build critical thinking skills and find ways to verify and check information through other sources.

Faced with complicated developments, the Ministry of Public Security, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and localities, launched the communication campaign "Not alone, together online safety". The campaign aims to improve young people's skills in preventing online fraud, while encouraging them to "share and not be silent". Parents are advised to listen instead of imposing, because blaming can make children more withdrawn when facing unusual situations. Schools must also be a safe, friendly space where students can confidently turn to when there are signs of being scammed, threatened or having a mental crisis online.

According to lawyer Tran Hong Tinh, Director of Duc Tri An Law Firm, communication is just the first step. “To create a real digital shield, we need to perfect the legal framework for handling high-tech crimes, strengthen international coordination in tracking money flows, develop a platform for verifying digital accounts and detecting fraudulent content, and incorporate digital life skills education into high school and university curricula. Because only when young people are equipped with skills, the law has tools, and society joins hands in monitoring, will “online kidnapping” really have no place to live,” lawyer Tran Hong Tinh shared.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nhung-thu-doan-bat-coc-truc-tuyen-nham-vao-nguoi-tre-5063938.html