Four Arrested for Scratch Lottery Scam via Facebook Livestream in Vietnam

Vietnamese authorities arrested four individuals operating a scratch lottery scam through Facebook livestreams. The group used fake lottery accounts and pre-printed winning tickets to deceive victims into sending money with promises of large prizes.

Overview of the Scam

On August 5, 2026, the Phu Tho Provincial Procuracy in Vietnam announced the prosecution of four individuals operating a scratch lottery scam via Facebook livestream. The group deceived victims into purchasing fake lottery tickets and making multiple payments with promises of large winnings.

How the Scam Works

Ringleader Dang Ngoc Thach (born 1992) purchased Facebook pages with large followings around March 2026 and renamed them to appear as legitimate lottery pages such as "Vé Số Đại Lộc 999" and "Vé Số Kiến Thiết 86."

Through livestream sessions, the group sold scratch lottery bundles priced between 500,000 Vietnamese Dong (approximately $20 USD) and 5 million Dong (approximately $200 USD). They advertised extremely high winning rates with prizes reaching hundreds of millions of Dong.

To build trust, the scammers used fake customer accounts to post comments on livestreams claiming large winnings. They distributed pre-printed scratch cards with predetermined "winning" results to lure victims into making payments.

After receiving initial payments, the group demanded additional transfers under various pretexts such as "prize processing fees" or "taxes." Once victims could no longer pay, the scammers blocked them and kept all funds.

Warning Signs

Unrealistically high winning odds: Legitimate lotteries typically have 1-5% win rates; fraudulent schemes claim most players win
Constant winning announcements during livestreams: Multiple fake accounts repeatedly reporting large winnings is a red flag
Pre-determined scratch card results: Authentic scratch cards have sealed results; pre-printed outcomes indicate fraud
Requests for additional payments: Demands for "fees," "taxes," or "processing costs" after an initial "win" are classic scam indicators
Social media-only transactions: Legitimate lotteries operate through official channels, not solely through social media

Prevention Tips

Exercise caution with social media lottery schemes: Verify through official government lottery agencies
Confirm legitimacy: Check if the page is an official government lottery authority
Refuse additional payment requests: Any demand for fees after a "win" signals fraud; stop the transaction immediately
Consult trusted individuals: Discuss suspicious offers with family or friends before committing money
Protect personal information: Never share banking details, ID numbers, or other sensitive data
Use official channels only: Purchase lotteries exclusively through government-authorized retailers

Where to Report

Local police (Công an) in Vietnam
Facebook's fraud reporting feature
Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security
Local financial crime units