New Lottery Ticket Fraud Scheme Targeting Lottery Agents in Vietnam Uncovered

A new fraud scheme targeting lottery ticket agents has been discovered in northern Vietnam. Scammers pose as customers and alter winning numbers in ledgers to force agents to pay fraudulent prizes. One agent lost approximately 8 million Vietnamese dong to this scam.

Fraud Overview

A new fraud scheme targeting lottery ticket agents has been reported in northern Vietnam. First identified in mid-July 2026, this scam puts multiple agents at risk of financial loss.

How the Scam Works

The fraudster's typical approach consists of three stages:

Initial Purchase: The scammer poses as a customer buying lottery tickets. When winning numbers need to be recorded in the ledger, the scammer claims to be in a hurry and insists on writing the numbers themselves using their own pen. This exploits the agent's lax verification during the transaction.
Number Alteration: The next day, after official North Vietnam lottery results are announced, the scammer returns and asks to borrow the ledger to verify numbers. They exploit the agent's inattention or moments when visibility is obstructed to use an eraser to delete the originally written numbers and replace them with the actual winning numbers.
Prize Extraction: Trusting the altered ledger, the agent pays out the prize money to the scammer, who then disappears.

Reported Incident

A female lottery agent in Ha Giang Ward 1 fell victim to this scheme and paid out approximately 8 million Vietnamese dong. Only after reviewing all transactions did she realize she had been defrauded.

Warning Signs and Prevention

Lottery agents should be alert to the following red flags:

Customers writing their own numbers: Never allow customers to record numbers directly in the ledger
Requesting to borrow the ledger: Be cautious when customers ask to handle or examine the ledger themselves
Suspicious behavior during transactions: Monitor customers closely during ticket purchases, exchanges, or prize claim processes
Attempts to use hidden areas: Watch for customers trying to view or write in the ledger away from your direct sight

Company Response and Recommendations

Ha Giang Lottery Company Limited, which operates approximately 400 agents, has issued warnings requiring:

Strict adherence to lottery ticket sales procedures
Prohibition of customers writing their own winning numbers in tracking logs
Immediate reporting of suspicious activities to authorities

Agents are strongly advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious customer behavior immediately to prevent exploitation and fraud.