Vietnamese Police Warn of Escalating School-Related Scams Before New Academic Year

Overview of the Scams

Vietnamese law enforcement has reported a surge in sophisticated cybercrimes and fraud schemes before the 2026-2027 academic year. Scammers exploit parental anxieties and students' needs by impersonating schools, teachers, authorities, and educational institutions using various tactics.

Common Fraud Schemes

1. School and Teacher Impersonation for Tuition Fraud

How It Works:

• Criminals create fake accounts on social media (Zalo, Facebook) using school or teacher names and photos
• They establish bogus parent groups or classroom chats, or infiltrate legitimate existing groups
• After building initial trust, they post detailed fee lists (tuition, uniforms, classroom funds, health insurance)
• They use urgency tactics: "Papers must be submitted today" or "Early payment discount available"
• Fraudsters open bank accounts under personal names or similar-sounding institution names to receive transfers

Warning Signs:

• Requests for school fees via personal social media accounts rather than official school channels
• Unusual urgency or pressure to transfer funds quickly
• Bank account names that don't match the school's official information
• Offers of discounts for early payment (legitimate schools rarely do this)

Prevention Tips:

• Always verify school fee payment instructions by calling the school's official phone number
• Check the official website for legitimate bank account details
• Confirm fee requests through official school communication channels only
• Be skeptical of "limited-time" discounts or pressure tactics

2. Student ID and Identity Fraud

How It Works:

• Criminals impersonate local police officers
• They claim the student's ID is incorrectly registered in the national population database, blocking school transfer requests
• They request national ID information, student ID codes, or request installation of suspicious "public service" applications
• They create false urgency: "This error must be corrected immediately"

Warning Signs:

• Police or officials requesting ID information via phone, text, or messaging apps
• Requests to download unfamiliar applications
• Threats that school transfers will be blocked without immediate action
• Requests to access suspicious links

Prevention Tips:

• Legitimate authorities never request personal ID or ID codes via phone or messages
• Verify any such claims by calling the local police station directly using published phone numbers
• Never download or install applications from untrusted sources
• Recognize that pressure and threats are hallmarks of scams

3. Kidnapping Fraud and Extortion Scams

How It Works:

• Criminals create fake websites or social media accounts impersonating universities, scholarship funds, or international exchange programs
• They recruit students with offers of scholarships, internships, or exchange programs
• They collect personal information: contact details, family members' phone numbers, photos, ID documents
• Under pretenses of "online interviews" or "security verification," they instruct students to:
  • Go to a specific location
  • Turn off their phones
  • Cut off contact with family
• Once isolated, criminals call family members claiming the student has been kidnapped and demanding ransom

Alternative Variant: Criminals impersonate police, prosecutors, or court officials, falsely accusing students of drug involvement, money laundering, or illegal activity, then:

• Demand absolute secrecy
• Force students to rent rooms or stay in hotels
• Isolate them from family
• Subsequently contact family claiming kidnapping or danger to extort money

Warning Signs:

• Legitimate scholarship programs never require students to cut off family contact
• Interview processes that demand location changes or phone shutdown
• Requests to maintain "absolute secrecy" from family
• Sudden contact from "authorities" about involvement in illegal activities

Prevention Tips:

• Only apply for scholarships and jobs through official university and program websites
• Be extremely wary of any interview or verification process requiring communication blackout
• Legitimate law enforcement never demands secrecy regarding investigation involvement
• Immediately report any demands for ransom to police
• Maintain regular contact with family; insist on this right

General Patterns Used by Scammers

1. Data Collection: Exploiting leaked social media accounts, unauthorized surveys, and database vulnerabilities
2. Trust Building: Creating websites and accounts mimicking legitimate institutions
3. Psychological Manipulation: Creating urgency, fear, and emotional pressure
4. Isolation: Separating victims from family and trusted adults
5. Financial Pressure: Demanding transfers to accounts under personal names

Key Prevention Strategies

• Verify Official Channels: Always confirm important information through officially published phone numbers and websites
• Protect Personal Information: Never share ID information, bank details, or family contact details freely
• Stay Calm: If you feel pressured or afraid, pause and consult a trusted adult before responding
• Report Immediately: Contact police if you receive suspicious communications
• Educate Young People: Teach students that legitimate schools and authorities never request personal information or money through unofficial channels
• Pay Special Attention in Remote Areas: Scammers specifically target students in rural and ethnic minority regions where information access is limited

Reporting and Support

• Contact local police departments immediately if you suspect fraud
• Do not pay any money if you suspect a scam
• Report suspicious websites or accounts to platform administrators
• Preserve evidence (messages, account information) for law enforcement