Vietnam Intensifies Fight Against Surging Online Scams Amidst Billions in Losses

Escalating Threat of Online Fraud

Vietnamese authorities have initiated a series of online safety campaigns and issued stern warnings regarding a significant increase in cybercrime and online fraud. In 2024 alone, tens of thousands of online fraud cases were reported across the nation, with estimated financial losses approaching 20 trillion VND (approximately US$758.85 million). This surge highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the urgent need for enhanced digital protection measures.

The landscape of cyber threats in Vietnam is complex and evolving. In 2024, an estimated 659,000 cyberattacks targeted Vietnamese organizations, with 46.15% of surveyed entities reporting at least one incident. Common scam tactics identified by the Department of Information Security and the Ministry of Information and Communications include:

• Impersonation scams, often involving fake e-commerce platforms or official entities.
• Mobile app fraud and the increased use of QR code scams to steal assets.
• Fake gaming websites that use celebrity endorsements to lure users.
• Fraudulent traffic fine notifications impersonating traffic police.
• Online job scams promising quick cash or unrealistic returns.
• Investment scams, financial scams, and loan scams.

Authorities have identified over 125,000 fake or impersonating websites employing complex scam tactics. A survey also revealed that 70% of Vietnamese people have been exposed to at least one scam call or text message each month, underscoring the pervasive nature of these threats.

Coordinated National Response and Awareness Campaigns

In response to the escalating cyber threat, the Vietnamese government has launched several initiatives. Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính issued a directive calling for urgent, coordinated nationwide action against high-tech fraud. This effort involves the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).

Key measures being implemented include:

• Developing a database of suspicious payment accounts and e-wallets to prevent scams and recover stolen funds, expected to be operational by early 2025.
• Intensifying investigations and prosecutions of cybercrime cases.
• Integrating fraud prevention into school curricula, overseen by the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Several public awareness campaigns have also been rolled out:

• The 'Online Scam Prevention 2025 – Slow but Sure' campaign, launched on October 14, 2025, by the Ministry of Public Security's Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention (A05), the National Cybersecurity Association, TikTok Vietnam, and VCCorp. Its message, 'Slow for Certainty and Safety,' encourages users to verify information before acting online.
• The 'Identifying Scams' campaign, a collaboration between the Authority of Information Security (AIS) under the MIC and Meta (Facebook), launched in 2024. This campaign focuses on six prevalent scam types: investment, job, financial, loan, lottery, and impersonation scams.
• The 'Safer with the Ministry of Public Security and Google' campaign, officially launched on May 26, 2025, as a strategic step to build a safe cyberspace.

Broader Cybersecurity Landscape and Future Outlook

Vietnam continues to be one of the most cyber-attacked countries in Southeast Asia, experiencing significant increases in ransomware, online fraud, and data breaches. However, there are signs of progress in cybersecurity awareness and response. From January through October 2024, cyber incidents affecting information systems in Vietnam saw a 57.4% reduction compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting increased awareness and proactive measures by organizations.

Despite this decline in overall incidents, the sophistication and severity of cyberattacks are on the rise, with criminals increasingly targeting critical industries such as telecommunications, energy, securities, and logistics. Vietnam has also improved its standing in the Global Cybersecurity Index, rising from 100th in 2017 to 25th in 2020, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening its digital defenses. The ongoing efforts emphasize public education, technological advancements, and international cooperation as crucial elements in combating cross-border cybercrime and fostering a secure digital environment for its citizens.