Recent developments in Vietnam reveal a
concerning rise in crimes that directly target public trust, with offenders
increasingly operating across digital environments such as social media, online
marketplaces, and virtual financial platforms. Rather than relying on
sophisticated hacking techniques, these crimes primarily exploit psychological
vulnerabilities, marking a shift toward manipulation-based criminal strategies
in the digital age.
Authorities emphasize that modern
cyber-enabled crimes are no longer purely technological in nature. Instead,
technology often serves merely as a facilitating tool, while the core conduct
remains fraud and misappropriation of property through deception. This
evolution requires a broader approach to prevention, focusing not only on
technical safeguards but also on the recognition of deceptive financial schemes
and unrealistic profit promises.
A notable feature of this trend is the
expansion of criminal activity into familiar, everyday environments. Social
media platforms, personal communications via mobile phones, bank accounts, and
online shopping platforms have all become common channels through which
offenders approach victims. As a result, crime is no longer perceived as
distant or exceptional, but increasingly embedded in daily interactions.
Several recent cases illustrate how these
schemes operate in practice. In one case in Đắk Lắk on March 21 2026,
authorities arrested Nguyễn Thị N, who impersonated an officer from the
Ministry of Public Security. This suspect initially contacted the victim via
social media, carefully constructing a credible identity by claiming
professional status and influential connections. She then fabricated a scenario
involving the purchase of goods as gifts for senior officials, using this
pretext to borrow money. Through this method, she successfully appropriated
more than 256 million VND from the victim.
This case highlights a defining characteristic
of contemporary fraud: offenders no longer need to hack accounts or deploy
malicious software. Instead, they rely on persuasive narratives, often assuming
identities such as police officers, military personnel, bankers, or court
officials to establish trust. Once that trust is secured, victims may
voluntarily transfer money, rendering many conventional technical protections
ineffective.
Another major case occurred in Tây Ninh,
where authorities uncovered a large-scale online fraud scheme involving Phạm
Thái B. This suspect reportedly carried out more than 400 fraudulent
transactions by posing as an online seller, deceiving customers into paying for
goods that were never delivered. The total amount misappropriated exceeded 3
billion VND, with law enforcement seizing multiple devices, bank cards, and
related electronic evidence.
In addition to prosecuted cases, authorities
have also successfully prevented certain incidents before financial losses
occurred. For example, in Ninh Bình, Khanh Thien Commune Police just intervened
in time to stop a scam in which offenders staged a fake child kidnapping
scenario to pressure families into transferring money. This method demonstrates
how criminals increasingly exploit fear and urgency to manipulate victims into
immediate action.
These cases collectively demonstrate a
broader transformation in the nature of crime. Modern offenders combine
elements of digital technology, personal data exploitation, and psychological
manipulation to create hybrid forms of crime that are both scalable and highly
persuasive. The widespread availability of personal data further enhances the
effectiveness of these schemes, allowing criminals to tailor their approaches
to individual victims with alarming precision.
From a legal perspective, Vietnamese law
provides both administrative and criminal sanctions depending on the severity
of the conduct. Acts such as disseminating false information on social media
may lead to administrative penalties, while fraudulent schemes involving the appropriation
of property can result in criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code 2015.
In response to these challenges, authorities
have emphasized the importance of strengthening public awareness and preventive
measures. Individuals are advised to remain cautious of unusually favorable
offers, to verify identities before engaging in financial transactions, and to
avoid transferring money or sharing sensitive information based on unverified
requests.
Ultimately, the rise of trust-based crime
reflects a fundamental shift in the criminal landscape. As these schemes
increasingly rely on exploiting human psychology rather than technical
vulnerabilities, even a brief lapse in judgment can result in significant
consequences. This highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts involving
legal reform, data protection, and public education to effectively combat various
emerging forms of scams in the digital era.
Author:
Department of Criminology and
Criminal Investigation Science
Faculty of Criminal Law,
Hanoi Law University, Vietnam
Date:
12nd May, 2026